Funder: Community Oriented Policing Services
Due Dates: June 18, 2025 (Grants.gov) | June 26, 2025 (JustGrants)
Funding Amounts: Up to $500,000 per award (36 months); microgrants up to $100,000; approx. $73M total funding; 200 awards expected.
Summary: Supports evidence-based programs to improve security at schools and on school grounds through partnerships with law enforcement and other safety measures.
Key Information: 25% local cash match required (waived for microgrants); microgrants reserved for rural, tribal, and low-resourced districts.
Description
The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office, part of the U.S. Department of Justice, offers funding to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments and their public agencies to enhance security at schools and on school grounds. The program supports evidence-based school safety initiatives, including coordination with law enforcement, training, technology upgrades, and other security improvements. The goal is to prevent school violence and create safer learning environments through comprehensive, community-based approaches.
Due Dates
- Grants.gov Submission Deadline: June 18, 2025 (4:59 PM ET)
- JustGrants Submission Deadline: June 26, 2025 (4:59 PM ET)
- Period of Performance Start Date: October 1, 2025
Funding Amount
- Total Program Funding: Approximately $73,000,000
- Award Ceiling: $500,000 per standard award (up to 36 months)
- Microgrants: Up to $100,000 (approx. $1M reserved for microgrants targeting rural, tribal, and low-resourced school districts)
- Expected Number of Awards: ~200
- Cost Share: 25% local cash match required (waived for microgrant recipients)
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Independent school districts (including public charter schools and single-school districts)
- School boards
- Law enforcement agencies
Not eligible: Individual schools not operating as school districts, independent schools, and private schools (including private charter schools).
Additional requirements:
- Applications must be developed in consultation with a broad group (e.g., law enforcement, mental health professionals, social workers, students, parents, teachers, principals, school violence researchers/academics, and other school personnel).
- Projects must be consistent with a comprehensive approach to preventing school violence, protect student privacy, and ensure non-discrimination.
- State and local government applicants must comply with federal information-sharing requirements regarding citizenship and immigration status.
Application Process
- Register with SAM.gov: Ensure your organization is registered and up to date in the System for Award Management (SAM).
- Register and Apply via Grants.gov: Submit the SF-424 form and required materials by June 18, 2025.
- Complete Submission in JustGrants: Finalize your application in JustGrants by June 26, 2025.
- Prepare Application Materials: Applications should demonstrate a comprehensive approach to school safety and address at least one of the statutory purpose areas:
- Coordination with local law enforcement
- Training for law enforcement to prevent student violence
- Placement/use of metal detectors, locks, lighting, and other deterrents
- Acquisition/installation of emergency notification technology
- Other significant security improvements as determined by the COPS Office Director
- Cost Share: Include a 25% local cash match unless applying for a microgrant (for which the match is waived).
Additional Information
- Microgrant applicants (rural, tribal, and low-resourced school districts) may request up to $100,000 and are exempt from the 25% match requirement.
- Consideration for a microgrant does not preclude consideration for a standard SVPP award.
- All funded activities must align with statutory purpose areas (see 34 U.S.C. § 10551(b)(5)–(9)).
- Projects must be tailored to the needs of each school and be protective of student privacy and civil rights.
External Links
Contact Information
For technical issues with Grants.gov or JustGrants, refer to their respective help desks.