State Public Safety Grant Guide
Maine Public Safety Grants
Funding pathways, grant contacts, compliance notes, available programs, and award examples for Maine law enforcement, fire, EMS, homeland security, emergency management, school safety, investigations, training, and mission support.
This Maine public-safety grant page is part of the MAXSUR Public Safety Grant Resource Center. It is designed to help agencies identify funding pathways and planning resources for law enforcement technology, drones, surveillance, communications, officer safety, forensic capabilities, traffic safety, school safety, emergency response, training, and broader public-safety initiatives.
Maine agencies should use this page as a starting point for funding research, then verify all deadlines, eligibility requirements, allowable costs, and procurement rules with the official funding source, local procurement office, grant administrator, and legal counsel as appropriate.
Planning note: Maine currently shows none statewide drone or surveillance procurement ban in this dataset. No state-wide ban. Agencies may purchase foreign drones unless using federal funds. Agencies should confirm current requirements before issuing solicitations, selecting technology, or spending grant funds.
Available Funding Pathways
Maine Grant Opportunities
The programs below include state, federal, federal pass-through, and private funding pathways that may support Maine public-safety projects. Use the official links to confirm current application windows, eligibility, allowable costs, and program requirements.
| Grant | Level | Source | Best Fit / Technology | Deadline Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smith Family Foundation – Small Capital Grants | Private | Smith Family Foundation | Capital Tech / Vehicles / IT | Passed (Jan 30, 2026). Next Expected: Jan 2027. |
| MCOPA Foundation – Leadership & Safety Grant | Private | MCOPA Foundation | Education Tech / Leadership Tools | Rolling |
| Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant | Private | Firehouse Subs Foundation | Drones / Thermal / Rescue Tech | Expected: Jul 9, 2026 |
| BJA – Body-Worn Camera Partnership Program | Federal | BJA | Body-worn cameras / docking / storage / evidence management / policy and training | Projected: Oct 1, 2026 |
| BJA – Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Program (COSSUP) | Federal | BJA | Data-sharing / deflection platforms / naloxone support systems / case management / coordination tools | Projected: May 1, 2027 |
| Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants | Federal | BJA | Crime-lab equipment / LIMS / DNA / toxicology / digital forensics | Projected: Oct 1, 2026 |
| DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) | Federal | BJA | DNA lab equipment / Rapid DNA / CODIS processing / capacity expansion | Projected: Oct 1, 2026 |
| BJA – Local JAG Direct Allocations | Federal | Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) | Patrol equipment / investigative tools / records systems / communications / officer safety | Passed (May 1, 2026). Next Expected: Spring 2027. |
| BJA Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) for State Prisoners Program | Federal / State | BJA | Treatment-program support / case management / recovery support / reentry coordination | Projected: Jan 1, 2027 |
| National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) | Federal | BJA | Evidence management / lab testing / case tracking / multidisciplinary coordination | Projected: Aug 1, 2026 |
| DOJ – STOP School Violence Program | Federal | BJA / COPS | Anonymous reporting systems / alerting / communication / limited school-safety technology | Projected: Jul 1, 2026 |
| COPS – Hiring Program (CHP) | Federal | COPS Office | Hiring / rehire support / community-policing capacity | Projected: Jul 1, 2026 |
| Community Policing Development (CPD) Microgrants | Federal | COPS Office | Pilot projects / analytics / outreach / workflow improvement / novel tools | Projected: Jul 1, 2026 |
| Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) Program | Federal | COPS Office | Wellness programming / training / clinical support / family resources | Expected: Jun 23, 2026 |
| Safer Outcomes: Enhancing De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training | Federal | COPS Office | Training delivery / scenario tools / program support | Expected: May 27, 2026 |
| COPS – School Violence Prevention Program (SVPP) | Federal | COPS Office | Notification tech / locks / lighting / school security / officer training | Expected: Jun 18, 2026 |
| COPS Office – Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) | Federal | COPS | Interoperable communications / policing tech / equipment | Projected: Apr 1, 2027 |
| Maine Justice Foundation – Fairness & Justice Fund | Private | Maine Justice Foundation | Records Management / Forensics | Projected: Jun 1, 2026 |
| OJJDP – Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program | Federal | OJJDP | Digital forensics / investigative tools / training / prosecutorial support | Projected: Oct 1, 2026 |
| John T. Gorman Foundation – Direct Service Grant | Private | John T. Gorman Foundation | Food Security / Housing Tech | Expected: Jun 22, 2026 |
| OVW – Improving Criminal Justice Responses (ICJR) Program | Federal | OVW | Case management / lethality assessment tools / victim-response technology / limited investigative tools | Projected: Apr 30, 2027 |
| Maine Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program | Federal / State | Maine DPS / JAC (DOJ/NIJ) | Lab equipment / backlog-reduction tools / forensic training | Check JAC Portal |
| Maine Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) | Federal / State | Maine DPS / JAC (DOJ/BJA) | Investigative support / gun-violence tools / training / outreach | Check JAC Portal |
| Maine Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program | Federal / State | Maine DPS / JAC (DOJ/BJA) | Treatment program support / program administration / case management | Expected: Aug 1, 2026 |
| Maine STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant | Federal / State | Maine DPS / JAC (DOJ/OVW) | Interview-room tech / evidence systems / coordinated-response tools / victim-safety workflows | Expected: Aug 1, 2026 |
| Maine Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program | Federal / State | Maine DPS / JAC (DOJ/BJA) | Patrol equipment / information systems / training / digital evidence / analytic tools | Expected Summer 2026 |
| Maine Substance Use Disorder Assistance Program | State | Maine DPS / JAC | Case management / referral coordination / diversion-support tools | Projected: May 14, 2027 |
| Maine eCitation System | State | Maine BHS (NHTSA) | eCitation platform / message-switch interfaces / reporting / analysis | Passed (April 2026) |
| Maine BHS – DRE & Forensic Phlebotomy (FP) Call-Out / Training | State | Maine BHS (NHTSA) | DRE / forensic phlebotomy training / overtime reimbursement | Passed (April 2026); Rolling for Awardees |
| Maine eCitation In-Cruiser Printer Procurement | State | Maine BHS (NHTSA) | In-cruiser printers / related components / supplies | Passed (April 2026); Rolling for Awardees |
| Maine Highway Safety Grants | Federal / State | Maine BHS (NHTSA) | Overtime enforcement / traffic-safety equipment / data-driven enforcement support | Passed (April 2026). Next Expected: Jan 2027. |
| Maine BHS – Police Traffic Services / HVE Grants | Federal / State | Maine BHS (NHTSA) | Overtime patrols / campaign support / traffic-safety patrols | Passed (April 2026). Next Expected: Jan 2027. |
| Maine BHS – Impaired Driving HVE / SPIDRE Support | Federal / State | Maine BHS (NHTSA) | Checkpoint support / saturation patrol overtime / roadside testing support | Passed (April 2026). Next Expected: Jan 2027. |
| Maine BHS – Occupant Protection / CIOT / TOPAZ | Federal / State | Maine BHS (NHTSA) | Seat-belt campaign support / nighttime enforcement / message boards | Passed (April 2026). Next Expected: Jan 2027. |
| MaineCF – Community Building Grant Program | Private | Maine Community Foundation | Community Safety / SAR / IT | Passed (Feb 17, 2026). Next: Feb 2027. |
| BJA – Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) | Federal | DOJ / BJA | Body armor vests | Expected: Jun 1, 2026 |
| Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation – General Grant | Private | Stephen & Tabitha King Foundation | Drones / Radios / Safety Equipment | Expected: Jun 30, 2026 |
| Lowe's 2026 Community Impact Grant | Private | Lowe's Foundation | Infrastructure Tech / Safety Upgrades | Passed (Mar 20). Next Expected: Feb 2027. |
Award Intelligence
Recent Maine Public-Safety Award Examples
Award examples help agencies see that Maine departments, counties, municipalities, and public-safety partners do receive funding. These examples are not a guarantee of future awards, but they can help agencies understand how funding is being directed across the state.
| Awardee | Grant / Program | Type | Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maine State Police | MeBHS Occupant Protection HVE FY2024 | State police / seat-belt HVE | $43,578.10 | 2024 |
| South Portland City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal direct allocation | $15,989 | 2024 |
| Lewiston Police Department | MeBHS Occupant Protection HVE FY2024 | Municipal police / seat-belt HVE | $12,768 | 2024 |
| Kennebunk Police Department | MeBHS Occupant Protection HVE FY2024 | Municipal police / seat-belt HVE | $12,348 | 2024 |
| Cumberland County | Local JAG FY2024 | County direct allocation | $12,328 | 2024 |
| Waterville City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal direct allocation | $12,203 | 2024 |
| Somerset County | Local JAG FY2024 | County direct allocation | $12,083 | 2024 |
| Presque Isle Police Department | MeBHS Occupant Protection HVE FY2024 | Municipal police / seat-belt HVE | $12,000 | 2024 |
| Berwick Police Department | MeBHS Occupant Protection HVE FY2024 | Municipal police / seat-belt HVE | $11,867 | 2024 |
| Westbrook City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal direct allocation | $11,717 | 2024 |
| Madawaska Police Department | MeBHS Occupant Protection HVE FY2024 | Municipal police / seat-belt HVE | $11,001.78 | 2024 |
| Rumford Police Department | MeBHS Occupant Protection HVE FY2024 | Municipal police / seat-belt HVE | $10,959.52 | 2024 |
The Maine award dataset reviewed for this page includes 28 award records totaling approximately $252,678 across records with numeric award amounts.
MAXSUR Solution Pathways
Connect Maine Funding to Field-Ready Capability
MAXSUR supports public-safety agencies with mission-focused technology, integration, training, and procurement pathways. These solution areas may align with selected grant programs when tied to eligible missions and approved costs.
Procurement Pathway
Use Grant Funding More Efficiently With Cooperative Procurement
Finding a grant is only part of the process. Once funding is identified or awarded, Maine agencies still need a compliant and efficient path to purchase, deploy, and support the equipment or services tied to the project.
MAXSUR’s BuyBoard contract may help eligible agencies streamline procurement, access contract pricing, and move faster from funding approval to field-ready capability for selected public-safety projects.
BuyBoard eligibility, grant allowability, and procurement requirements may vary by agency, funding source, and jurisdiction. Agencies should confirm requirements with their procurement office, grant administrator, and legal counsel before purchase.