Campus Safety Grant Program (S.B. 450)
Campus Safety Grant Program (S.B. 450) supports Ohio’s public higher education institutions with building security equipment and improvements to address assessed vulnerabilities and strengthen campus safety.
Funder: Ohio School Safety Center
Due Dates: September 8, 2026 (Applications available) | October 8, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (Submission deadline) | October 10, 2026 (Grant closed)
Funding Amounts: $7.5 million total; most requests expected within or below $50,000–$250,000; November 2026–June 2028
Summary: Competitive funding for physical security improvements to buildings at Ohio’s public institutions of higher education.
Key Information: Main campuses must submit joint applications including satellite and branch campus requests.
Description
The Campus Safety Grant Program (S.B. 450) funds eligible security improvements that strengthen the physical security and safety of buildings on public campuses throughout Ohio. The Ohio Department of Public Safety administers the competitive program in coordination with the Chancellor of Higher Education, with application materials available through the Ohio School Safety Center. Eligible entities and grant criteria were established in S.B. 450 of the 136th General Assembly.
Projects must connect proposed improvements to vulnerabilities identified through building-specific assessments. The program prioritizes physical security enhancement equipment on its authorized equipment list, including access control, surveillance, alarms, communications, and protective barriers. Applications also address campus threats, student housing, integration with state and local preparedness efforts, and the institution’s ability to manage and complete the proposed work.
