Ohio school leaders can now apply for a share of more than $9 million in grants for safety-related projects for the 2026-2027 academic year.
Approved by the 136th General Assembly as part of Ohio House Bill 96, the grant funding is intended to give schools and districts flexibility in addressing local safety needs. Potential uses of the grants include:
- Certification training for school resource officers
- Active-shooter response training or equipment
- Educational resources for all grade levels
- Training to identify and assist students with mental health issues
- School supplies or equipment related to safety or for implementing a school-safety plan
- Systems allowing immediate camera access to responding law enforcement
- Silent panic alarms
- Gunshot-detection technology
- License-plate reader alerts for vehicles belonging to registered sex offenders
- Alert systems warning of wanted dangerous individuals
- Any other training related to school safety
Under the program, every school district is eligible to apply for:
- A formula-based grant of $2,500 or $4.50 per student, whichever is greater, until the funds are exhausted
- A program-based grant of up to $40,000, regardless of the number of students in the district, until the funds are exhausted
School districts may apply for one or both grants. The grants will be awarded and distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The application deadline is May 29, 2026.
Both applications are being accepted through the Ohio Grants Portal. Select “Funding Opportunities,” then choose “Ohio Attorney General’s FY26 Formula Based School Safety Grant” or “Ohio Attorney General’s FY26 Program Based School Safety Grant.”
Direct all questions about the grants to SchoolSafetyGrants@OhioAGO.gov.