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School Safety Grants / Federal / COPS SVPP

COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)

  • Up to $500,000 per award, 25% local match.
  • Funds technology that speeds up notifying police in an emergency.
  • FY26 closed Aug 11, 2026. FY27 not announced yet.

Checked against the official notice on October 17, 2026. Awards are competitive. Funding is not assured. Confirm dates before you apply.

Closed for this cycleCameras: sometimesFederal

COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)

U.S. DOJ, COPS Office

Amount

Up to $500,000 per award, over 36 months. Up to $73M in FY26. Microgrants up to $100,000.

At least 25% local cash match, unless a waiver is approved.

Next deadline

FY26 closed Aug 11, 2026. Awards on or after Oct 1, 2026. The FY26 NOFO opened June 9; FY27 is not announced yet.

What it funds

  • Technology for expedited notification of local law enforcement in an emergency.
  • Metal detectors, locks, lighting and other deterrents.
  • Coordination with local law enforcement.
  • Training for local officers to prevent school violence.
  • School safety assessments (an allowable cost, and required for every school in the project if awarded).

Who can apply

  • States, local governments, tribes and their public agencies.
  • Includes school districts, public charter schools and school boards. Private schools cannot be the main applicant.

Cameras

The FY26 Resource Guide lists security cameras and systems, and software for up to 36 months, as allowable when tied to the project. COPS reviews each item.

How VOLT fits

  • VOLT runs on the cameras you already have.
  • It flags someone who needs help or a visible weapon.
  • By default, a VOLT reviewer checks it before your team is notified.
  • It may fit the purpose area for expedited notification of local law enforcement. COPS decides what is allowable.

Sources: COPS FY26 SVPP NOFO (PDF) · COPS FY26 SVPP Application Resource Guide (PDF) · COPS FY26 SVPP fact sheet (PDF) · COPS Office grants and awards. Checked Oct 17, 2026.

Also see STOP School Violence Program (FY 2026): Not for cameras. Security equipment is target hardening, which STOP does not fund.

If awarded, SVPP requires comprehensive school safety assessments for every school in the project. Our free 2-minute readiness check is a quick starting point, not a substitute.

Ask us for help with your application

  • Tell us your state and the program (COPS SVPP).
  • We help with the technology section and budget.
  • We tell you plainly if VOLT is not a fit for that program.
  • Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute readiness assessment.

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Questions

Can COPS SVPP pay for school safety technology?

Sometimes. COPS SVPP's FY26 Resource Guide lists security cameras and systems as allowable equipment.

Is FY26 SVPP still open?

No. FY26 applications closed Aug 11, 2026. Awards start on or after Oct 1, 2026. FY27 has not been announced.

How much is an SVPP award?

Up to $500,000 over 36 months, with at least a 25% local cash match unless waived. Microgrants are up to $100,000. Awards are competitive.

Does SVPP require a safety assessment?

Yes. Recipients must conduct comprehensive school safety assessments for all schools in the project during the award period.

Can a school district apply directly?

Yes. School districts, including public charter schools and single-school districts, can apply. Individual schools that are not districts, independent schools and private schools cannot be the main applicant.

State programs

PennsylvaniaFormula grants through PCCD, plus federal programs.VirginiaA yearly competitive equipment grant through VDOE, plus federal programs.OhioA rolling BWC grant that names security cameras, plus a pending bill.TexasA yearly per-student and per-campus safety allotment, plus federal programs.New YorkSmart Schools Bond Act allocations, with limits on analytics.

Compare every program in the Grant Finder.

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