Indiana Department of Homeland Security is accepting applications for School Safety Grants

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Homeland Security is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2025 Secured School Safety Grant (FY24 SSSG). 

The application period will close on July 1, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. EDT. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted.

The Notice of Funding Opportunity for FY25 SSSG includes all the information necessary for a successful grant application for the SSSG program. Before submitting your application:

1. Be registered in IntelliGrants.
2. Have an active bidder number with the state of Indiana.
3. Have an active supplier number with the state of Indiana.
4. Sign up for Grant updates.

The period of performance for the FY25 SSSG will be Sept. 1, 2024, through Aug. 31, 2025.

Since 2014, Indiana has awarded more than $163 million in SSSG grants to support school security. Last year, 474 schools received more than $29.8 million in awards.

Click here for complete information on the SSSG program and the history of awards distributed.

What is an allowable expense for the FY25 SSSG?

The program supports a dedicated state grant fund that provides matching grants to school corporations, accredited non-public schools, charter schools or a coalition of school corporations and/or charter schools applying jointly to:

1. Employ a school resource officer (SRO) or law enforcement officer (LEO).
2. Conduct a site vulnerability assessment and/or critical incident digital mapping.
3. Purchase equipment, hardware, materials and technology to:
   1. Restrict access to school property and classrooms; or
   2. Assist with visitor management on school property; or
   3. Expedite notification of first responders; or
   4. Expedite access to school property for first responders; or
   5. Provide school staff with information about the open or closed status of interior and exterior doors; or
   6. Detect fire, chemical, visual or audible threats; or
   7. Enhance emergency communications inside the building; or
   8. Assist with emergency medical response on school property; or
4. Implement a student and parent support services plan. 
5. Purchase or provide training for a canine trained to detect drugs and illegal substances, explosives, or firearms or to otherwise provide protection for students and school employees. 
6. Provide funding for school employees to receive training, including expenses for per diem, travel and lodging related to eligible training. 
7. Provide funding for school resource officer or law enforcement officer to receive training, including expenses for per diem, travel and lodging, related to handing a trained canine. 
8. Design and construct additions or renovations on school property if the primary purpose is to enhance the physical security of the school building. 
9. Implement a bullying prevention program. 
10. Purchase a one-time non-matching grant to enable school corporations to work with their sheriff to provide the initial set up costs for an active event warning system. 
11. Provide a response to a threat in a manner that the school corporation or charter school sees fit, including firearms training (curriculum now defined) or other self-defense training or securing funds for counseling in the event of a school shooting. 
12. Purchase student management technology.