The FY25 School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). The COPS Office, established to advance community policing nationwide, has provided over $21 billion in funding since its inception. It supports state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement in their mission to increase public safety and community trust. This specific program under the STOP School Violence Act of 2018 seeks to fund projects aimed at enhancing safety at schools and on school grounds through evidence-based strategies and technologies.

The primary objective of SVPP is to improve school safety through coordinated approaches with local law enforcement, the installation of deterrent measures like metal detectors and locks, advanced emergency notification systems, and comprehensive training for law enforcement to mitigate student violence. The program also supports broader measures that could significantly improve school security as determined by the COPS Office. In FY25, approximately $73 million is anticipated to be awarded, with individual grants up to $500,000 and up to 200 total awards. A separate microgrant track is available for rural, tribal, and low-resourced schools, offering awards up to $100,000 and waiving the required 25 percent local match.

Eligible applicants include states, units of local government, Indian tribes, and their public agencies such as school districts and law enforcement agencies. Individual schools that are not independent districts and private or independent charter schools are ineligible. Applications must be developed collaboratively with input from law enforcement and other community stakeholders, including educators, mental health professionals, and parents. Applicants must also comply with specific federal statutes, including assurances of nondiscrimination and adherence to 8 U.S.C. § 1373 regarding immigration status communications.

Applications must be submitted in a two-step process: first via Grants.gov by June 18, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET using the SF-424 form, and then by completing the full application in JustGrants by June 26, 2025, at 4:59 PM ET. All applications must include a proposal abstract, answers to survey questions, budget details, letters of support, and required disclosures. Applications will be evaluated on their program impact, security needs, and justification for federal assistance, followed by a comprehensive narrative review and administrative compliance check.

Award announcements are expected on or after September 1, 2025. The period of performance will begin on October 1, 2025, and last for 36 months. Matching funds of at least 25 percent are required unless a waiver is granted. Contact information includes the COPS Office Response Center at AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov or 800-421-6770 for programmatic assistance, and JustGrants support at JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833-872-5175 for technical support. Comprehensive training resources and FAQs are available on the COPS Office website to assist applicants throughout the submission process.