COPS Office Response Center:
800.421.6770
AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov

COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program provides funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds through planning and the implementation of evidence-based school safety programs and technology.

Project outcomes are expected to include:

• Improved information sharing with local law enforcement
• Increased interaction and improved communications between law enforcement and school officials
• Reduced notification times to law enforcement
• Improved response time to threats and events
• Accurate identification of danger and follow up
• Increased knowledge of and use of community policing principles
• Increased school safety and sustainability planning efforts

Comprehensive school safety planning should include:

• Maintaining effective ongoing communication, coordination, and partnerships with all of those involved in school safety efforts within a jurisdiction to ensure accountability and monitor both effectiveness and compliance with all applicable requirements, including privacy and civil rights laws
• Site and risk assessments that examine the overall safety, physical accessibility, and emergency preparedness of school buildings and grounds and improve jurisdictions' understanding of the likelihood of specific threats or hazards
• Coordinated emergency operations plans that are developed in partnership with first responders (law enforcement, fire officials, and emergency medical services personnel), mental health entities, and community partners
• Specific efforts, programs, and policies designed to ensure positive school climates including the physical, social, and emotional elements
• Routine training and drills
• Regular, scheduled updating and review of planning efforts

Eligible applicants include:

• States
• City or township governments
• County governments
• Independent school districts, including charter school districts and school districts with a single school
• Federally recognized tribes
• Public agencies, including school boards and law enforcement agencies

Award ceiling: $500,000
Project period: 3 years
Estimated number of awards: 160
Estimated total program funding: $53,000,000

Unless a waiver is approved, a minimum 25% local match is required.

Approximately $1 million of the available funding is set aside for microgrants for school districts, including rural, tribal, and low-resourced schools. Microgrant award requests should be $100,000 or less, and the 25% local match may be waived if fiscal need is demonstrated.

Links to the full announcement, application instructions, and the online application process are available through grants.gov.

Applicants should submit an SF-424 and an SF-LLL in grants.gov by June 14, 2022.

Submit the full application, including attachments, in the JustGrants grants management system by June 21, 2022.

Applicant webinar recording