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School Safety Grants / Virginia

Virginia school safety grants

  • A yearly competitive equipment grant through VDOE, plus federal programs.
  • What each one funds, and whether cameras qualify.
  • Official sources on every program.
BJA STOPJustGrants due Nov 6Nov 6, 2026

Virginia programs checked October 18, 2026. Confirm dates before you apply.

Virginia programs

Closed for this cycleCameras: sometimesVA

School Security Equipment Grant (SEGM)

Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)

Amount

Up to $250,000 per school division per year (VDOE, 2026-27). $12M funded for 2026-27.

25% local match. Reduced for divisions with a composite index below 0.2000.

Next deadline

2026-27 window closed Aug 1, 2026. By statute, apply by Aug 1 each year (VDOE opened July 1 in 2026).

What it funds

  • Security equipment and installation on VDOE's List of Allowable Equipment.
  • Equipment must be bought and installed within six months of award.

Who can apply

  • Virginia public school divisions and regional programs.

Cameras

Only items on VDOE's allowable equipment list. Check the current list.

How VOLT fits

  • Virginia's allowable list includes AI software that pairs with security cameras. Service contracts and extended warranties aren't allowable, so confirm how your purchase is structured with VDOE.
  • VOLT works with existing IP cameras. We can help you check.

Sources: VDOE Security Equipment Grants · VDOE 2026-27 Attachment B: List of Allowable Equipment · Va. Code § 22.1-280.2:2 · VDOE update, July 16, 2026. Checked Oct 18, 2026.

Federal programs open to Virginia schools

JustGrants due Nov 6Cameras: not eligibleFederal

STOP School Violence Program (FY 2026)

U.S. DOJ, Bureau of Justice Assistance

Amount

Category 1 up to $2,000,000. Category 2 up to $1,000,000. About $111.1M in total.

No match required.

Next deadline

Grants.gov is closed. The JustGrants step is due Nov 6. Only applicants who filed the SF-424 in Grants.gov can complete it, by 8:59 pm ET.

What it funds

  • Training to prevent violence against others and self.
  • Threat assessment and intervention teams.
  • Anonymous reporting tools: apps, hotlines, websites.
  • Training for staff responding to mental health crises.

Who can apply

  • Category 1: states; public and state-controlled colleges.
  • Category 2: cities, counties, special districts, tribes, independent school districts, public charter schools, private K-12 schools (apply as nonprofits), private colleges, nonprofits.

Does not fund

  • Target-hardening equipment. BJA sends these requests to COPS SVPP.
  • New school resource officers or armed security.
  • Higher education campus violence projects. The FY 2026 NOFO lists these as unallowable, even though colleges can apply.

Cameras

Not for cameras. Security equipment is target hardening, which STOP does not fund.

How VOLT fits

  • STOP does not pay for VOLT. We say so up front.
  • Use STOP for training and reporting. Look at SVPP or your state program for camera work.

Full BJA STOP guide

Sources: BJA FY26 STOP solicitation page · BJA FY26 STOP NOFO (PDF) · BJA STOP School Violence Program overview. Checked Oct 18, 2026.

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

  • Existing IP cameras can connect over RTSP. A camera compatibility review confirms the specific setup.
  • It flags someone who needs help or a visible weapon.
  • A VOLT reviewer checks a moment by default before staff are notified.
  • COPS decides what is allowable.

Full COPS SVPP guide

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 18, 2026.

Ask us for help with your application

  • Tell us your state and the program (VA Security Equipment, STOP or 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 VA Security Equipment pay for security cameras?

Only items on VDOE's allowable equipment list. Check the current list. 2026-27 window closed Aug 1, 2026. By statute, apply by Aug 1 each year (VDOE opened July 1 in 2026).

Are there federal grants for Virginia schools?

Yes. BJA STOP (Grants.gov closed Oct 30, 2026; JustGrants step due Nov 6, 2026) funds training and reporting tools, not cameras. COPS SVPP funds emergency notification technology; its next round is not announced yet.

Will VOLT help with my application?

Yes. Tell us your program and we will help with the technology section and budget.

Other states

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