Opportunity Information: Apply for O COPS 2021 89002
The COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) Solicitation is a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). The COPS Office is the federal agency component focused on advancing community policing nationwide by providing grants and practical resources to state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement. Through this program, the COPS Office directs funding to help communities strengthen safety and security at K-12 schools (elementary and secondary schools, including Bureau-funded schools) by supporting evidence-based strategies, planning, training, and targeted safety technology that align with broader school safety efforts rather than isolated, purely hardware-driven fixes.
SVPP is authorized by the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018 (34 U.S.C. 10551 et seq.). The central purpose is to improve security at schools and on school grounds within an applicant's jurisdiction through measures that are grounded in evidence and fit the actual risks and needs identified at each site. The solicitation emphasizes that effective school safety is not simply about adding equipment; it is about integrating security improvements into comprehensive planning, assessment, coordination, and a positive school climate that supports learning and student wellbeing.
Eligible applicants include states, units of local government (such as counties, cities, and townships), Indian tribes, and their public agencies, with independent school districts also listed among eligible entities. In practical terms, this means applicants are often law enforcement agencies, local governments, tribal governments, or school districts working in close partnership with public safety and school stakeholders. The award ceiling listed is $500,000, and the solicitation anticipated approximately 160 awards for the referenced cycle (FY 2021). The funding instrument is a federal grant under CFDA 16.710.
SVPP funding can be used under several specific purpose areas spelled out in statute. These include: hiring or supporting civilian personnel who act as coordinators with local law enforcement; training for local law enforcement officers aimed at preventing student violence against others or self-harm; purchasing and installing deterrent and access-control measures such as metal detectors, locks, lighting, and related security hardware; acquiring and installing technology that speeds emergency notification to law enforcement; and other measures that the COPS Office Director determines can significantly improve school security. The program is therefore designed to support both people-driven coordination and training as well as carefully selected equipment and technology, as long as the approach is justified, evidence-based, and connected to a larger safety plan.
The solicitation lays out several anticipated outcomes that reflect both operational improvements and broader community policing goals. These outcomes include better information sharing with local law enforcement, stronger day-to-day communication between school officials and police, faster notification to law enforcement during emergencies, improved response to threats and incidents, and more accurate identification of genuine dangers without relying on discriminatory stereotypes or violating student privacy. It also highlights increased knowledge and use of community policing principles, along with stronger safety and sustainability planning so improvements can be maintained after the grant period ends.
A key condition of receiving SVPP funds is the requirement to conduct comprehensive school safety assessments during the award period for all schools included in the project. Those assessments must directly inform what measures are chosen and how they are implemented, reinforcing the idea that grant-funded purchases or programs should respond to documented risks and needs rather than assumptions or one-size-fits-all solutions. The solicitation also underscores that school safety should involve the whole school community, encouraging input from students, parents, teachers, administrators, and law enforcement, and it encourages approaches that protect civil rights, respect privacy, and use trauma-informed practices to avoid causing additional harm or fear among students.
The broader guidance in the solicitation stresses that the most effective interventions are embedded in comprehensive school safety planning. That includes maintaining ongoing partnerships and accountability structures among agencies and stakeholders; performing site and risk assessments focused on building access, emergency preparedness, and threat likelihood; developing coordinated emergency operations plans with first responders and community partners (including mental health entities); improving school climate through policies and programs that support physical, social, and emotional safety; conducting routine trainings and drills so plans work in practice; and regularly reviewing and updating plans. The solicitation also cautions applicants to think carefully before investing in technology, noting that technology should not create a punitive or prison-like atmosphere, cannot compensate for weak building design, requires training and the right organizational culture to be effective, and brings long-term costs for maintenance, replacement, and support. Technology selection is framed as a tool to solve a clearly defined problem, not an end in itself.
Finally, the solicitation points applicants toward widely used federal and research-based resources that can support planning and application development, including SchoolSafety.gov, the REMS Technical Assistance Center tools (including the REMS Site Assess App), FEMA school emergency planning toolkits, and research syntheses from RAND and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory on school safety technologies. It also references evidence-based program resources like OJJDP's Model Programs Guide and the Department of Education's What Works Clearinghouse, along with federal anti-bullying resources. Taken together, SVPP is positioned as a funding opportunity for communities that want to strengthen school safety through structured assessment, collaborative planning, community policing partnerships, and carefully chosen interventions that improve security while protecting student rights and supporting a healthy learning environment.Apply for O COPS 2021 89002
- The Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services in the law, justice and legal services sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program Solicitation" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 16.710.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 07, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 15, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 160 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Independent school districts, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) Grant FAQs
What is the COPS Office School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)?
SVPP is a competitive, discretionary federal grant program offered by the U.S. Department of Justice through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office). It provides funding to help communities strengthen safety and security at K-12 schools using evidence-based strategies, planning, training, and carefully targeted safety technology that fits into broader school safety efforts.
Which federal office administers this grant?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office), the federal component focused on advancing community policing nationwide through grants and practical resources.
What is the legal authority for SVPP?
SVPP is authorized by the Students, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Act of 2018 (34 U.S.C. 10551 et seq.).
What is the main purpose of SVPP funding?
The central purpose is to improve security at schools and on school grounds within an applicant's jurisdiction using measures grounded in evidence and tailored to the risks and needs identified at each school site. The solicitation emphasizes integrated, comprehensive safety planning rather than isolated, purely hardware-driven fixes.
What kinds of schools can be included in an SVPP project?
The program is focused on K-12 schools (elementary and secondary), including Bureau-funded schools, within the applicant's jurisdiction.
Who is eligible to apply for SVPP?
Eligible applicants include states, units of local government (such as counties, cities, and townships), Indian tribes, and their public agencies. Independent school districts are also listed among eligible entities.
What types of organizations typically apply?
Based on the solicitation description, applicants are often law enforcement agencies, local governments, tribal governments, or school districts working in close partnership with public safety and school stakeholders.
Is SVPP a formula grant or a competitive grant?
SVPP is described as a competitive, discretionary grant opportunity.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $500,000.
How many awards were anticipated for the referenced cycle?
The solicitation anticipated approximately 160 awards for the referenced cycle (FY 2021).
What is the CFDA number for this grant?
The funding instrument is a federal grant under CFDA 16.710.
What activities and expenses can SVPP funds support?
SVPP funding can be used for specific purpose areas described in statute, including:
- Hiring or supporting civilian personnel who act as coordinators with local law enforcement
- Training for local law enforcement officers aimed at preventing student violence against others or self-harm
- Purchasing and installing deterrent and access-control measures (for example: metal detectors, locks, lighting, and related security hardware)
- Acquiring and installing technology that speeds emergency notification to law enforcement
- Other measures the COPS Office Director determines can significantly improve school security
Does SVPP only fund equipment purchases (like metal detectors and locks)?
No. The solicitation explicitly cautions that effective school safety is not simply about adding equipment. SVPP is designed to support people-driven coordination and training as well as carefully selected equipment and technology, as long as the approach is justified, evidence-based, and connected to a larger safety plan.
What is meant by “evidence-based” strategies in this solicitation?
The solicitation frames SVPP as supporting measures that are grounded in evidence and aligned with comprehensive school safety planning. It also points applicants to evidence-based program and research resources (for example, OJJDP’s Model Programs Guide and the Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse) to help inform strategy selection.
Are school safety assessments required as part of an SVPP award?
Yes. A key condition of receiving SVPP funds is the requirement to conduct comprehensive school safety assessments during the award period for all schools included in the project.
How should the required safety assessments be used?
The assessments must directly inform what measures are chosen and how they are implemented, reinforcing that purchases or programs should respond to documented risks and needs rather than assumptions or one-size-fits-all approaches.
What outcomes does the solicitation expect SVPP projects to achieve?
The solicitation lists anticipated outcomes including improved information sharing with local law enforcement; stronger day-to-day communication between school officials and police; faster emergency notification to law enforcement; improved response to threats and incidents; and better identification of genuine dangers without relying on discriminatory stereotypes or violating student privacy. It also highlights increased knowledge and use of community policing principles and stronger safety and sustainability planning.
How does SVPP relate to community policing?
The COPS Office mission is to advance community policing, and the solicitation highlights outcomes such as increased knowledge and use of community policing principles, stronger partnerships, and improved coordination between schools and law enforcement.
What does the solicitation say about protecting civil rights and student privacy?
The solicitation encourages approaches that protect civil rights, respect privacy, avoid discriminatory stereotypes when identifying threats, and use trauma-informed practices to reduce the risk of causing additional harm or fear among students.
Does SVPP require involvement from the broader school community?
The solicitation underscores that school safety should involve the whole school community and encourages input from students, parents, teachers, administrators, and law enforcement.
What planning elements are emphasized as part of effective school safety?
The solicitation emphasizes comprehensive school safety planning, including ongoing partnerships and accountability structures; site and risk assessments focused on building access, emergency preparedness, and threat likelihood; coordinated emergency operations plans with first responders and community partners (including mental health entities); school climate improvements; routine trainings and drills; and regular review and updates of plans.
What cautions does the solicitation give about using technology for school safety?
The solicitation advises applicants to think carefully before investing in technology. It notes that technology should not create a punitive or prison-like atmosphere, cannot compensate for weak building design, requires training and the right organizational culture to be effective, and brings long-term costs for maintenance, replacement, and support. Technology is framed as a tool to solve a clearly defined problem, not an end in itself.
Can SVPP funding be used for emergency notification technology?
Yes. One of the listed purpose areas is acquiring and installing technology that speeds emergency notification to law enforcement.
Can SVPP funding support training related to preventing self-harm?
Yes. The solicitation includes training for local law enforcement officers aimed at preventing student violence against others or self-harm.
Can SVPP funding support a coordinator role that works with law enforcement?
Yes. The solicitation includes hiring or supporting civilian personnel who act as coordinators with local law enforcement.
What does “sustainability planning” mean in the context of SVPP?
The solicitation highlights stronger safety and sustainability planning so improvements can be maintained after the grant period ends, including consideration of ongoing needs like training, maintenance, replacement, and long-term support.
What resources does the solicitation reference for planning and application development?
The solicitation points applicants to widely used federal and research-based resources, including SchoolSafety.gov; the REMS Technical Assistance Center tools (including the REMS Site Assess App); FEMA school emergency planning toolkits; research syntheses from RAND and Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory on school safety technologies; evidence-based program resources like OJJDP’s Model Programs Guide and the Department of Education’s What Works Clearinghouse; and federal anti-bullying resources.
Does the solicitation indicate how SVPP projects should fit into broader school safety efforts?
Yes. SVPP is positioned to support strategies, planning, training, and technology that align with broader school safety efforts and are integrated into comprehensive planning, assessment, coordination, and a positive school climate.
Is SVPP focused only on responding to incidents, or also on prevention?
The solicitation emphasizes prevention and preparedness alongside response, including risk-informed planning, training, coordination, improved communication, and careful selection of measures based on documented needs.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Law, Justice and Legal Services
Next opportunity: BJA FY 21 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Program
Previous opportunity: COVID Operational Assessment – Community Services
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for O COPS 2021 89002
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (O COPS 2021 89002) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Request for Information - Human Rights potential design Apply for 72051421RFI00001 Funding Number: 72051421RFI00001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Colombia USAID-Bogota Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| OJJDP FY 2021 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative Apply for O OJJDP 2021 10001 Funding Number: O OJJDP 2021 10001 Agency: Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| OJJDP FY 2021 Delinquency Prevention Grants Program Apply for O OJJDP 2021 06003 Funding Number: O OJJDP 2021 06003 Agency: Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Strengthening Civil Society and Community Resilience Program in Cameroon Apply for 72062421RFA00005 Funding Number: 72062421RFA00005 Agency: Agency for International Development, Ghana USAID-Accra Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $16,000,000 |
| OJJDP FY 2021 Supporting Tribal Youth: Training and Technical Assistance and Youth Leadership Development Apply for O OJJDP 2021 13001 Funding Number: O OJJDP 2021 13001 Agency: Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| OJJDP FY 2021 Title II Formula Grants Program FY 2021 Title II Grant Solicitation Year 1 of the 3-Year Plan Apply for O OJJDP 2021 18001 Funding Number: O OJJDP 2021 18001 Agency: Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $3,900,000 |
| OJJDP FY 2021 Family-Based Alternative Sentencing Program Apply for O OJJDP 2021 11002 Funding Number: O OJJDP 2021 11002 Agency: Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| OJJDP FY 2021 Post-Secondary Education Opportunities for Child Protection Professionals Apply for O OJJDP 2021 15001 Funding Number: O OJJDP 2021 15001 Agency: Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $450,000 |
| OJJDP FY 2021 Juvenile Justice System Reform Initiative Apply for O OJJDP 2021 13002 Funding Number: O OJJDP 2021 13002 Agency: Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| OJJDP FY 2021 Strengthening ICAC Technological Investigative Capacity Apply for O OJJDP 2021 21002 Funding Number: O OJJDP 2021 21002 Agency: Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Community Policing Development (CPD) Invitational Solicitation Apply for O COPS 2021 75009 Funding Number: O COPS 2021 75009 Agency: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $9,990,000 |
| Community Policing Development (CPD) Crisis Intervention Teams Solicitation Apply for O COPS 2021 75007 Funding Number: O COPS 2021 75007 Agency: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Community Policing Development (CPD) Microgrants Solicitation Apply for O COPS 2021 75012 Funding Number: O COPS 2021 75012 Agency: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $125,000 |
| Burkina Faso Road Safety Initiative Apply for INL21CA0046AMEBURKINAF ROADSAFETY 052721 Funding Number: INL21CA0046AMEBURKINAF ROADSAFETY 052721 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $815,000 |
| Senegal Road Safety Initiative Apply for INL21CA0047 AMESENAGAL ROADSAFETY 052721 Funding Number: INL21CA0047 AMESENAGAL ROADSAFETY 052721 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| U.S. Anticorruption Innovation Lab Apply for SFOP0008188 Funding Number: SFOP0008188 Agency: Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics-Law Enforcement Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Tajikistan Legal Support Program Apply for 72011521RFA00009 Funding Number: 72011521RFA00009 Agency: Agency for International Development, Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Community Policing Development (CPD) Tolerance, Diversity, and Anti-Bias Online Training Solicitation Apply for O COPS 2021 81002 Funding Number: O COPS 2021 81002 Agency: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,800,000 |
| Community Policing Development (CPD) De-Escalation Training Solicitation Apply for O COPS 2021 75008 Funding Number: O COPS 2021 75008 Agency: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $1,750,000 |
| Community Policing Development (CPD) Accreditation Solicitation Apply for O COPS 2021 75010 Funding Number: O COPS 2021 75010 Agency: Department of Justice, Community Oriented Policing Services Category: Law, Justice and Legal Services Funding Amount: $150,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "O COPS 2021 89002", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.