Application process begins for New Hampshire school security grants

A new batch of over $13 million in grants is available to help New Hampshire schools to beef up security in their buildings.

The NH Department of Education announced on Tuesday that public school districts can apply for the first wave of the Security Action For Education grants, totaling $3.3 million, between now and July 22. After that, the agency said, another $10 million will be available to nonpublic schools and public schools that didn’t win a grant in the first allotment. The deadline for application for those grants will be Aug. 26. The $13.3 million in funding is being made available through federal American Rescue Plan Act money.

Selection of applications will be based on the same system used in awarding grants through the Public School Infrastructure Fund, said Commissioner Frank Edelblut. He said the security grants will be awarded based on major security risks and corresponding safety priorities for schools — surveillance, access control and emergency alert systems.

“School security is at the forefront of everyone’s mind,” he said. “Offering this new pool of funding for the implementation of crucial school security projects underscores the ongoing commitment to help ensure the security of New Hampshire children.”

The agency said the maximum award for any one school will be $100,000.

For more information and to apply for the grants, click here.