U.S. Department of Education Launches New $93 Million School Security Grant Program

A new federal school safety grant program created by Congress through a fiscal 2026 appropriation earlier this year presents a significant opportunity for states to make meaningful improvements in physical school security while advancing proven, evidence-based practices and technologies. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is now soliciting applications for the School Safety Enhancement (SSE) program on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The SSE program creates competitive grants intended to develop, implement and strengthen the physical security of schools at the state and local levels, with a focus on findings and recommendations outlined in the U.S. Department of Justice report Critical Incident Review: Active Shooter at Robb Elementary School.

The grant awards under the SSE program have been set up as discretionary competitive grants to states, with a total amount in available funding of $93 million. Each state educational agency is eligible to apply for total awards ranging from $500,000 to $5 million. HHS and ED currently estimate a total of 30 states will be awarded funds from the SSE program. Applications for the SSE program opened on May 27, 2026, and will close on July 28. Each state receiving awards will subgrant to districts/schools, under a process that it subsequently establishes.

This program prioritizes implementing measures drawn from lessons learned from the 2022 tragedy at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, with a focus on  practical, measurable improvements to physical security that can help schools prevent vulnerabilities and improve emergency response capabilities. 

The SSE program focuses on several key areas that security professionals have long recognized as foundational to effective school protection: 

• Secured and monitored school entry points
• Functional door-locking mechanisms and perimeter controls
• Coordinated incident command structures
• Clear emergency response protocols
• Enhanced training and preparedness exercises for school personnel and school resource officers (SROs)
• Regular safety drills aligned with best practices

Importantly, the competitive grants under the SSE program have been developed on a system of two absolute priorities and one competitive preference priority. The U.S. Department of Education will only consider state applications that meet both absolute priorities. The competitive preference priority is an additional priority which can be met by applicants to receive up to three additional points when their application is graded. 

Absolute Priority 1: “Returning Education to the States”

The first absolute priority requires that projects or proposals for funding under the SSE program must be carried out by state educational agencies. 

Absolute Priority 2: “Improving School Safety Systems and Physical Security of Schools”

To meet the second absolute priority for grant funding under the SSE program, state educational agencies must describe how funds will support one or more of the following: 

• Interior door locks and secure entry systems
• Deterrent measures, including but not limited to metal detectors and security cameras
• Perimeter controls
• Visitor screening infrastructure
• Emergency communication systems
• Emergency response and coordination planning
• Training exercises for SROs and school personnel

Competitive Preference Priority: “Rural Applicants”

To meet the additional, optional priority for competitive preference, state educational agencies must demonstrate that their proposal will serve a community with one or more local educational agencies meeting certain rural status criteria as set forth by the National Center for Education Statistics.

Importantly, given the program’s focus on door locks and secure entry systems, program requirements appropriately stress that applicants receiving an award under the program “must ensure that all school safety equipment and technology implementation is compliant with all applicable codes, including the building and life safety codes,” and that federal funds will not be used in any manner that violates federal law, notably the Americans with Disabilities Act.

This funding opportunity represents one of the most significant federal investments in specifically physical school security in recent years. The Security Industry Association encourages all members to review the program requirements carefully, engage with state and local education leaders and help ensure that these resources translate into meaningful improvements in school safety.