Funding Opportunities
Safe Schools Fund Grant (SSFG)
The Safe Schools Fund Grant is a non-competitive, state-funded program administered by the Maryland Center for School Safety (MCSS). It enables local school systems to seek funding for safety and security projects, such as training, software or technology systems, and other measures permitted under Maryland law (Md. Code Ann., Educ. Art. § 7-1512). For FY 2026, applications are open from June 16, 2025 until September 30, 2025, with funds disbursed on a reimbursable basis.
School Safety Grant Program (SSGP)
The School Safety Grant Program in Maryland (established under Md. Educ. Art. § 5-317) provides awards to local school systems and the Maryland School for the Blind for security improvements to school facilities. Eligible projects include secure/lockable classroom doors, surveillance systems, security vestibules, and other building hardening enhancements. The FY 2025 NOFA outlines these priorities and allocations.
Nonpublic School Health and Security (NSHS) Program
The NSHS Program supports nonpublic schools in Maryland (those participating in BOOST and nonpublic textbook programs) by providing resources for health services and security measures, such as school nurse staffing and security enhancements, to help maintain safe learning environments.
School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV)
The Project SERV grant provides short-term support after a traumatic event to affected local educational agencies or institutions of higher education. These grants are intended to provide funds to meet acute needs and restore the learning environment.
No deadline, based upon need.
BJA “STOP School Violence” (FY25)
The STOP School Violence Act gave authority to provide awards directly to States, units of local government, or Indian tribes to improve security at schools through evidence-based school safety programs and technology.This funding opportunity aims to support school safety by implementing solutions to enhance school climate, establish school-based behavioral threat assessment and intervention teams to identify violence risks, introduce technologies like anonymous reporting tools, and apply other evidence-based strategies to prevent violence.
Total amount to be awarded: $83,000. Deadline Nov 3, 2025.
DHS Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program
The Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program provides funding for state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; nonprofits; and institutions of higher education to establish or enhance capabilities to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. The Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administer the program. It is the only federal grant program solely dedicated to helping local communities develop and strengthen their capabilities in this area.
Since 2020, the TVTP Grant Program has provided nearly $90 million across five funding cycles via 178 awards, training 38,250 people, and reaching 28,308,418 people across 41 states and the District of Columbia.
USDA Rural Development — Community Facilities (CF) Direct Loans & Grants
Can fund school safety infrastructure for rural public schools (e.g., facility improvements, security upgrades) as “essential community facilities.
Who can apply: Public bodies (including school districts) in rural areas (generally populations ≤20,000). Deadline: Open (applications accepted year-round).
School-Based Mental Health Services Grant
The purpose of the SBMH grant program is to provide competitive grants to State educational agencies (SEAs), local educational agencies (LEAs), and consortia of LEAs to increase the number of credentialed mental health services providers providing school-based mental health services to students in LEAs with demonstrated need.
Estimated total grant funding: $19,000,000. Expected to open Spring 2026
