The FY26 COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) provides competitive grant funding to improve security at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based school safety programs.

Overview

Administered by the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) within the U.S. Department of Justice, this funding opportunity supports state, local, territorial, and Tribal law enforcement agencies in advancing school safety. The program is part of the Administration's priority of Making America Safe Again and reflects the COPS Office mission of advancing community policing through information and grant resources. The period of performance is 36 months, with a start date of October 1, 2026.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: Up to $73,000,000
• Maximum Award: $500,000 per award
• Expected Number of Awards: Approximately 200
• Cost Sharing Requirement: A local cost share (matching funds) of at least 25 percent in the form of cash is required, unless a match waiver is requested and approved.
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Category of Funding Activity: Law, Justice and Legal Services

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include:

• State governments
• County governments
• City or township governments
• Indian Tribes
• Public agencies of states, units of local government, or Indian Tribes, including school districts (including public charter schools and school districts with a single school)
• School boards
• Law enforcement agencies

Individual schools not operating as school districts, independent schools, and private schools (including private charter schools) are not eligible to apply as primary applicants.

Each application must include an assurance that it was prepared after consultation with individuals not limited to law enforcement officers, including licensed mental health professionals, social workers, students, parents, school violence researchers or academics (if practical), teachers, principals, and other school personnel. This ensures that funded improvements are consistent with a comprehensive approach to preventing school violence, protective of student privacy, and individualized to each school's needs. State and local governmental entities must also comply with 8 U.S.C. § 1373 regarding the exchange of citizenship or immigration status information.

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. The application process includes submission of the SF-424 form and use of the Justice Grants System (JustGrants) for application submission. Each application shall be accompanied by the required consultation assurance as described in the eligibility section.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: August 4, 2026
• Period of Performance Start Date: October 1, 2026
• Period of Performance Duration: 36 months

Contact Information

• Grants.gov Technical Support (SF-424): Call 800-518-4726 or email support@Grants.gov. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except federal holidays.
• JustGrants Technical Support: Email JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or call 833-872-5175. Hours are Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Training resources are available at https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training-resources.
• COPS Office Programmatic Assistance: Call the COPS Office Response Center at 800-421-6770 or email AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, except federal holidays.
• Feedback: Applicants may submit feedback on the funding opportunity, application submission process, or application review process via email to AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov with the subject line "FY26 SVPP Feedback."