Violence in schools remains unacceptably high in the U.S. Since 2018, there have been more than 260 school shootings in which at least one person was killed or injured, according to Education Week. While threats against school personnel dipped during the pandemic, a 2025 FBI Special Report shows incidents have since rebounded, with more than one million school-based criminal incidents reported between 2020 and 2024. To prevent school violence, K-12 schools need advanced security technologies, from AI-driven weapon detection to integrated communications, to support their staff and keep students safe.
Unfortunately, high-end physical safety solutions can be costly. For districts looking for ways to prevent school violence without breaking the budget, federal assistance like the STOP School Violence Act has paved the way for critical funding. One of the most impactful grant opportunities under this legislation is the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP).
The COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) is a competitive grant awarded by the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Whether you are looking for a COPS SVPP grant to fund new access control systems or trying to understand how the School Violence Prevention Program fits into your 2026 safety plan, this guide has you covered. We’ll explore SVPP grant eligibility requirements, best practices for a winning COPS SVPP grant application and the security solutions that fit best into a holistic school safety strategy.
Since 1994, the COPS Office has been appropriated more than $20 billion to help advance community policing. However, the most critical evolution in school safety came in the wake of the 2018 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
One of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history, this event spurred the bipartisan passage of the STOP School Violence Act. This landmark legislation amended the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide dedicated federal grants for school safety. Sponsored by Rep. John Rutherford, the STOP School Violence Act initially designated $75 million for school safety projects, split between two primary channels:
While the original 2018 bill set an annual baseline of $100 million through 2028, stalwart congressional support has persisted, bolstered in moments of tragedy. In the aftermath of the 2022 mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Congress passed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which provided a historic $300 million dollar surge in supplemental grant funding over five years. This included $40 million annually to supplement the STOP Program and $20 million for the School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP).
As of FY 2026, the DOJ continues to award approximately $125 million annually under the STOP School Violence Act. This sustained investment ensures that the SVPP remains a cornerstone for districts seeking to harden their campuses and protect their communities with modern safety technology.
The School Violence Prevention Program is a competitive grant program designed to improve security at schools and on school grounds through school safety programs and technology.
For the FY 2026 COPS SVPP cycle, it is expected that the following financial structures apply (subject to change):
To support smaller districts, approximately $1 million is reserved for SVPP microgrants (requests of $100,000 or less). These are specifically for rural, tribal and low-resourced schools. Crucially, the COPS Office will waive the 25% match for microgrants, allowing for 100% federal funding.
Who can apply? The SVPP grant provides funding directly to states, units of local government, Indian tribes and public agencies. This includes:
A note on ineligibility: Individual schools (those not operating as school districts) as well as independent and private schools are not able to apply as primary applicants.
SVPP funding is designed to improve security through evidence-based technology and coordination. By law, the program focuses on five purpose areas:
Mainly categorized as equipment (items over $5,000), the following solutions are generally eligible for School Violence Prevention Program funding:
A note on unallowable costs: To stay compliant with STOP School Violence Act guidelines, funds cannot be used for the salaries and benefits of sworn officers or civilian security guards. The following are among the technologies strictly ineligible for funding:
As in previous years, the FY 2026 COPS SVPP application period is expected to open in Spring 2026 and close in early Summer. However, because this is a federal grant, the application is split into a strict two-step process:
The COPS School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) is one of the most significant opportunities for schools to fund critical security technology. In recent years, the COPS Office has consistently awarded tens of millions of dollars to hundreds of local agencies across the country:
|
Fiscal year |
Total funding awarded |
Number of awards |
Impacted schools |
|
2025 |
$74.5 million |
211 |
44,045 schools |
|
2024 |
$73 million |
203 |
1,300 schools |
|
2023 |
$73.6 million |
206 |
3,974 schools |
|
2022 |
$71.9 million |
235 |
2,687 schools |
Key takeaways from recent cycles:
What do successful applicants have in common? They develop a comprehensive school safety strategy.
The SVPP grant is not just a school board initiative; it is a community-wide safety effort. In fact, the STOP School Violence Act requires applicants to certify that their proposals were developed in consultation with a broad group of stakeholders.
To build a winning narrative, your coalition should include:
Pro-tip: Start gathering letters of support from these partners now. A letter from the Chief of Police or a local mental health director carries significant weight with COPS Office reviewers.
The most effective school safety interventions are part of an all-encompassing school safety plan. That plan should address the following:
The COPS office wants to see that your requested technology solves a specific, documented problem. The best way to prove this is through a formal school safety assessment.
Ensure your narrative mentions one or more of the following:
Typically, time-to-police-arrival is a key metric. Successful applications can often focus on technology that removes the human bottleneck during an emergency. This includes automated alerts that go directly to 9-1-1 or local patrol cars, significantly reducing response times when seconds matter most.
The FY 2026 SVPP window is fast approaching. Federal grants can be overwhelming, but starting the administrative review now means you aren’t rushing when the portal opens.
Before the window opens, ensure you have checked these four critical boxes:
To qualify for the SVPP grant, districts should prioritize integrated systems. The STOP School Violence Act emphasizes that technology should enhance the overall safety and responsiveness of a campus. When evaluating ways to prevent school violence, consider these eligible technology categories:
Modern visual verification systems are a component of SVPP deterrent measures. These systems provide the hard security necessary for preventing school violence before it reaches the classroom.
Access control solutions enable perimeter hardening, a primary allowable cost under the School Violence Prevention Program. These tools are essential for stopping school violence by securing restricted areas.
The COPS School Violence Prevention program specifically prioritizes technology that reduces the human response bottleneck during an emergency.
A winning COPS SVPP grant narrative must demonstrate coordination with local law enforcement. That could be accomplished through the following means:
With school violence once again on the rise, securing our educational institutions remains a complex, yet urgent challenge, requiring both a committed community and a robust technological foundation. The COPS SVPP grant offers a vital opportunity for K-12 districts to bridge the budget gap and implement life-saving security measures. By building a strong coalition, conducting thorough assessments and choosing evidence-based solutions, your district can create a safer environment where students and staff can thrive.
Don’t wait for the application window to open. Start your registrations and safety audits today to ensure your school is first in line for this critical funding.
For help navigating this education grant season, connect with a Grant Expert.