Government grants and funding for safety
& security
Explore federal, state and local government grants for security cameras, cybersecurity and other technology. Access resources and expert program assistance to help secure funding for your organization.
What are government grants?
Government grants are typically non-repayable funds disbursed by an authorized body. While most government-funded grants do not require repayment, many operate as reimbursable funds for approved purchases. These government grants and programs offer a critical resource to modernize safety and security technology and protect high-risk infrastructure.
Strategic funding for safety technology
Government-funded grants bridge the gap between current budgets and next-generation safety requirements. By securing these awards, organizations can implement advanced video, radio and other systems without exhausting local tax revenue. This specialized funding helps to ensure that critical assets remain resilient against evolving physical and cyber threats.
Grant programs by mission area
Fire & emergency medical services grants
Leverage expert assistance to secure fire and EMS grants and funding. Modernize your agency’s technology and equipment to improve community safety.
Police & law enforcement
grants
Utilize government grants to enhance your agency’s safety technology. Secure the funding needed to protect your officers and keep communities safe.
Port security & transportation grants
Identify grant programs and funding to strengthen your operations. Deploy the latest safety technology to keep transit hubs productive and secure.
Education grants
Access expert grant assistance to enhance school safety. Equip your campus with the technology and private networks needed for a secure environment.
Cybersecurity grants
Defend your network with cybersecurity grants. Implement robust threat detection technology to safeguard your data and critical assets.
Understanding types of government grants
Identifying the various government grants is the first step in securing funding. Federal, state and local bodies are the biggest sources of grant money.
Federal government grants
Managed at the national level, federal grants provide the largest funding pools. These awards require strict reporting and audits to ensure compliance.
State government grants
State grants often act as pass-through funding for local priorities. These regional awards have smaller budgets and fewer reporting restrictions.
Local government grants
Local grants fund community initiatives like safety upgrades. These are provided by cities or counties using tax revenue and state funding allocations.
Navigating the government grants program: Application tips
Obtaining a government grant requires a strategic approach. Follow these best practices to enhance your application for any government grants program.
Define the operational need
Don't just list equipment; explain the security and technology gap the grant fills, while ensuring the requested amount aligns with allowable costs.
Register early
Secure eligibility as soon as possible: all applicants for federal government funding grants must have an active Unique Entity ID (UEI) via SAM.gov.
Support narratives with data
Justify your application with numbers: use statistics and incident reports to prove the necessity of your project and demonstrate a clear safety gap.
Blueprints for funding success: Recent grants
FY24 Nonprofit Security Grant
$210M in additional funding available to nonprofit organizations.
FY24 Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)
$265M in funding available to law enforcement agencies.
FY24 FEMA Preparedness Grants
$1.8B in grant funding available for emergency preparedness.
FY24 Emergency Management Performance Grant
$320M to assist state, local, territorial, and tribal governments in preparing for hazards.
FY24 Nonprofit Security Grant
$275M to provide security enhancements to nonprofit organizations.
FY24 Port Security Grant
$90M to port authorities, facility operators, and State and local agencies.
FY24 State Homeland Security Grant
$374M to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism.
FY24 Tribal Homeland Security Grant
$13.5M to enable tribes to strengthen their capacity to prevent, protect against, and recover from hazards.
FY24 Urban Areas Security Initiative
$554M to build and deliver the capabilities necessary to prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism.
Government grants FAQs
Applying for a government grant involves a structured process of matching your mission to the right funding source. For all federal awards, establish grant readiness by registering your organization at SAM.gov to obtain a UEI.
Both SAM.gov and Grants.gov allow for year-round registration. Having accounts ready early is the best way to avoid a last-minute scramble.
If you have registered in the past, keep your status active:
- SAM.gov: Registrations have a 12-month lifespan. You must renew them annually to remain eligible.
- Grants.gov: Your account will go dark if it remains inactive for a year or if your associated SAM.gov registration expires.
Next, audit points of contact. An outdated email address is a common reason for missed deadlines. Take a moment now to verify that your entity’s points of contact are current in both systems.
Finally, identify a grant program that aligns with your technology needs, such as security cameras or P25 radios, and carefully review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for eligibility. For expert help in submitting a competitive proposal, access grant research and narrative review from our partner Lexipol.
Your organization can locate grants on the official, centralized U.S. government website or contact your state or territory to find local funding opportunities. Key government preparedness grants include:
- Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP): Provides critical funding for target hardening and physical security enhancements to 501(c)(3) organizations.
- Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP): Supports state, local, tribal and territorial efforts to prevent, protect against and respond to acts of terrorism.
- Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Grant Program: Gives funding to help combat the unlawful use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that pose a threat to the safety and security of the public.
- Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program (AFGP): Funds resources needed to equip and train emergency personnel, enhance efficiencies and support community resilience.
Beyond the level of government (federal, state or local), grants are categorized by how they are awarded.
- Competitive (discretionary) grants: Awarded based on the merits of a submitted proposal. Projects are scored by a selection panel.
- Non-competitive (mandatory) grants: Awarded to all eligible applicants who meet specific criteria. This category includes:
- Formula grants: Distributed based on statistical data (like population or income levels).
- Block grants: Large sums given to states for broad purposes, offering more local flexibility.
- Categorical grants: Funds restricted to a very specific, narrowly defined purpose.
Eligible applicants vary by grant program but may include state, tribal and local governments, transit providers, universities, research labs, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement agencies, businesses and others.