5 Federal Grants That Can Fund AI Video Security for K-12

1. School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP)

The SVPP is the most directly applicable federal grant for school security technology. Administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, it funds security assessments, technology improvements, and coordination with law enforcement. Award amounts range from $500K to $2M.

2. BJA STOP School Violence

The STOP School Violence Act funds technology solutions that improve school security. This includes evidence-based threat assessment programs, anonymous reporting systems, and technology that supports crisis intervention — including AI-powered video monitoring.

3. Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP)

HSGP funds flow through State Administrative Agencies and can be used for target hardening of schools and other public facilities. Video surveillance and monitoring systems are explicitly eligible under physical security enhancement.

4. Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP)

While primarily for nonprofits, the NSGP is relevant for private and charter schools. It funds physical security enhancements including video surveillance, access control, and threat detection technology.

5. E-Rate Category 2

E-Rate doesn’t fund cameras directly, but Category 2 covers the networking infrastructure that supports them: PoE switches, structured cabling, wireless access points, and network management appliances. Smart districts use E-Rate for the backbone and layer safety grants on top for cameras.

Application Timeline