State Public Safety Grant Guide
Massachusetts Public Safety Grants
Verified funding pathways, FY 2026 local JAG allocations and practical drone and cybersecurity procurement guidance.
Massachusetts public-safety buyers can seek OGR state and federal pass-through grants, direct federal programs and municipal cybersecurity funding. Each notice controls the eligible applicant, approved costs, application period and procurement conditions.
Drone planning also depends on the buyer and its systems. EOTSS security policies govern covered executive-branch technology; local agencies review their own cyber and purchasing requirements. Federal award restrictions and BJA UAS approval are separate tests. Read MAXSUR’s NDAA, TAA, FCC & Blue UAS guide for the wider framework.
Planning correction: The prior page presented old JAG allocations as awards and projected dates as application deadlines. This update uses FY26 formula allocations and links to active program pages. The attached notes’ automatic federal “trap” and local “loophole” claims are too broad; apply the award terms to the actual purchase and operations.
Massachusetts Procurement & Cybersecurity
What Massachusetts Buyers Should Check Before Selecting Cameras or Drones
Match the actual buyer, source of funds and system connections to the applicable state, local and federal rules.
H.3800 not enacted
The proposal was sent to a study order. Do not label its proposed restrictions as current law.
EOTSS security review
Review covered agency information systems, third-party risk, access and data handling.
Agency-specific rules
Municipal policy, connected state systems and award terms determine additional conditions.
Separate UAS tests
ASDA award restrictions and BJA prior approval govern qualifying funded UAS costs.
Massachusetts Law and EOTSS Policy
The 194th General Court’s H.3800 contained proposed drone and Chinese state-owned company language. Its official history reports it accompanied a study order on February 5, 2026; the proposal is not a statewide manufacturer ban in force. Recheck legislation before publication updates.
EOTSS publishes enterprise information security policies for Massachusetts executive-branch agencies, including third-party risk. Determine whether the proposed camera, drone application or cloud service enters a covered state system. A city or town should separately consult its own IT and procurement office.
Country of Origin Is Only One Screen
Review the vendor, beneficial ownership, listed components and services, FCC Covered List status, software, remote access and where evidence will be stored. NDAA Section 889, federal acquisition clauses, the Trade Agreements Act where a contract invokes it, and Blue UAS verification do not create one universal “Made in USA” rule for every Massachusetts grant.
The old page’s “none” state-ban label also fails to describe agency-level cybersecurity duties. Ask the funding administrator and IT office to confirm applicable restrictions for each procurement.
Local Funds and Shared Operations
Buying with municipal funds does not automatically import every federal grant clause; it also does not create a blanket exemption. Under OMB M-26-02 Appendix D, beginning December 22, 2025, federal award funds generally may not procure or be used in connection with operating a FASC-prohibited UAS, subject to stated exemptions and waivers.
Identify whether a task force charges federal funds for a pilot, service, software or mission and how costs are allocated. Preserve the award agreement and written approval; avoid assuming that any federal participation automatically makes a separately purchased local drone a prohibited expense.
BJA UAS and Counter-UAS Requirements
Under BJA awards, UAS purchases need express prior approval and the current UAS certification. BJA calls for DCMA Blue UAS Cleared List verification, Commerce Consolidated Screening List review, policies for privacy, civil liberties and cybersecurity, and assurances about accessories, modifications and federal information.
Counter-UAS requests need separate express approval, clear legal authority, required federal training and certification and federally approved technology. A grant for homeland security does not independently authorize drone interdiction.
Funding Fit in Massachusetts
OGR’s Byrne JAG local and state agency programs can support eligible justice needs, while the state BWC program is a more direct path for body cameras and data storage. The Municipal Road Safety program addresses traffic safety, and HSGP supports approved preparedness projects. Eligibility is program specific.
OGR’s State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program works with EOPSS, EOTSS and MassCyberCenter. EOTSS also advertises local cyber awareness and remediation initiatives. Verify the current cycle and cost rules before placing a drone, camera or cloud subscription in a budget.
Practical Massachusetts UAS Procurement Checklist
- Identify funds and ownership. List the purchasing agency, federal and local cost shares, pass-through awards and operating budget.
- Confirm Massachusetts policy scope. Check EOTSS rules for executive-branch systems and any municipal, department or shared-network policy.
- Map the complete system. Review aircraft, radio, controller, camera, firmware, apps, vendors, cloud accounts, storage and data flows.
- Screen applicable restrictions. Check the FCC Covered List, award clauses, supplier documentation and any local prohibited-vendor rule.
- Apply federal award tests. Evaluate ASDA / OMB M-26-02 for a funded purchase or federally funded operation and document exemptions or waivers where authorized.
- Obtain prior approval when needed. For BJA UAS costs, submit the current certification and await express approval before obligation.
- Retain the record. Keep technical evidence, policies, approvals, FAA authority, retention controls and recurring update checks.
Federal framework: See NDAA, TAA, FCC & Blue UAS Explained to distinguish the separate federal tests before applying them to a Massachusetts purchase.
Funding Pathways
Massachusetts Grant Opportunities
These official program pages are planning paths, not promises of an open competition or approval of a particular product. Confirm the current notice and allowable costs.
| Grant | Level | Source | Best Fit / Technology | Deadline Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OGR – Byrne JAG Local Law Enforcement | Federal pass-through | OGR / BJA | Municipal law-enforcement needs; technology only as allowed in the notice | Check OGR notice |
| OGR – Byrne JAG State Agency | Federal pass-through | OGR / BJA | Eligible state-agency justice projects, equipment and systems | Check OGR notice |
| BJA – FY 2026 Local JAG Formula | Federal direct | BJA | Listed jurisdictions; eligible justice projects and prior-approved UAS | Oct. 9 Grants.gov; Oct. 16 JustGrants, 2026 |
| OGR – Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program | Federal pass-through | OGR / BJA | Crisis intervention and related firearm-safety initiatives | Check OGR notice |
| OGR – Law Enforcement Body-Worn Camera | State | OGR | Municipal BWC implementation or expansion, storage and policy | Check next state cycle |
| OGR – Bulletproof Vest Program | State | OGR | Up to 50% reimbursement for eligible municipal police vests | Check reimbursement instructions |
| OGR – Municipal Road Safety | Federal pass-through | OGR / NHTSA | Traffic enforcement and eligible safety equipment | Check FFY27 notice |
| OGR – Project Safe Neighborhoods | Federal pass-through | OGR / DOJ | Violence reduction partnerships and approved activities | Check OGR notice |
| OGR – Commonwealth Project Safe Neighborhood | State | OGR | District attorneys and State Police enforcement and prevention | Check state cycle |
| OGR – Shannon Community Safety Initiative | State | OGR | Evidence-based gang violence prevention and intervention | Check FY27 notice |
| OGR – Homeland Security Grant Program | Federal pass-through | OGR / FEMA | Risk-based preparedness and eligible response capabilities | Check OGR / regional process |
| OGR – HSGP State Share | Federal pass-through | OGR / FEMA | State agencies supporting homeland-security needs | FY26 application closed July 14, 2026 |
| OGR – State and Local Cybersecurity Grant | Federal pass-through | OGR / FEMA-CISA | Government cyber resilience under state planning priorities | Check current subgrant cycle |
| EOTSS – Cybersecurity Awareness Program | State | EOTSS | Training support for eligible local government agencies | 2026 application opens in October; confirm notice |
| EOTSS – Cybersecurity Remediation Grant | State | EOTSS | Municipal and school cybersecurity remediation | Check current notice |
| Community Compact – IT Grant | State | Division of Local Services | Municipal IT capital assets and shared services | FY26 closed Feb. 5, 2026 |
| OGR – Nonprofit Security Grant Program | Federal pass-through | OGR / FEMA | Eligible nonprofit physical and cybersecurity projects | FY26 closed July 10, 2026 |
| BJA – Body-Worn Camera Partnership | Federal direct | BJA | Body-camera rollout, policy and digital evidence | Check BJA NOFO |
| COPS – School Violence Prevention | Federal direct | COPS Office | Allowable school security technology and coordination | Check COPS NOFO |
| COPS – Hiring Program | Federal direct | COPS Office | Sworn positions; equipment is not the program focus | Check COPS NOFO |
Direct Local JAG is open: FY26 Grants.gov submissions are due Oct. 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern; JustGrants submissions are due Oct. 16 at 8:59 p.m. Eastern. The FY26 allocation sheet identifies direct eligible jurisdictions. Others may explore OGR’s state-administered opportunities.
FY 2026 Formula Snapshot
Massachusetts Local JAG Allocations
BJA formula amounts for eligible jurisdictions, not actual awards or purchases. Selected joint groups appear once to avoid counting member amounts twice.
| Jurisdiction / Group | FY26 Amount | Applicant Note |
|---|---|---|
| Boston | $432,749 | Direct |
| Springfield | $145,326 | Direct |
| Worcester | $87,925 | Direct |
| Lynn | $62,839 | Direct |
| Cambridge | $57,365 | Direct |
| Lowell | $51,225 | Direct |
| Bristol County group (Attleboro / Fall River / New Bedford / Taunton) | $185,675 | Joint; one fiscal agent |
| Plymouth County group (Brockton / Middleborough / Plymouth) | $107,117 | Joint; one fiscal agent |
| Norfolk County group (Braintree / Quincy / Weymouth) | $67,611 | Joint; one fiscal agent |
| Barnstable County group (Barnstable) | $23,051 | Joint; one fiscal agent |
BJA lists a $1,722,892 Massachusetts local total. This selected table is not the complete allocation sheet. Joint groups designate one fiscal agent and document allocations through a memorandum of understanding. View complete FY26 Massachusetts BJA allocation sheet.
Massachusetts UAS Procurement FAQ
Common Massachusetts Compliance Questions
Confirm the current notice, legal status and agency policy at the time of purchase.
Does Massachusetts have a statewide prohibition on Chinese-made police drones?
We did not identify an enacted statewide manufacturer ban in the sources reviewed. H.3800 proposed rules involving Chinese state-owned companies but was accompanied by a study order on February 5, 2026. Check current law, agency rules, local procurement and award terms.
Does a locally funded drone avoid all federal restrictions?
A purchase charged solely to local funds does not by that fact trigger the federal award funding prohibition. If federal award funds are used in connection with operating a FASC-prohibited system, Appendix D can apply. Review shared operations, allocation of costs, and award conditions rather than assuming a categorical loophole or violation.
Can Massachusetts agencies use JAG funds to purchase a drone?
BJA requires express prior approval for a UAS purchase under its awards. The recipient must submit the current certification concerning the DCMA Blue UAS Cleared List, Commerce screening, accessories and modifications, federal information, privacy, civil liberties and cybersecurity.
What is the FY26 Massachusetts direct Local JAG total?
BJA lists $1,722,892 in local formula allocations. The table on this page selects examples and joint groups; these figures are allocations, not award notices or approval of a particular device.
Do the FCC Covered List, NDAA Section 889, TAA and Blue UAS mean the same thing?
No. The FCC list, federal acquisition restrictions, Trade Agreements Act contract clauses where applicable, and Blue UAS certification have different scopes. Review the grant and buyer first, then assess each applicable rule.
May a Massachusetts grant fund counter-drone equipment?
Counter-UAS is a distinct category. BJA requires express prior approval, clear legal authority, federal training and certification, and federally approved technology. A preparedness grant title alone does not authorize detection, disruption or mitigation operations.
MAXSUR Solution Pathways
Connect Massachusetts Funding to Field Capability
Match documented equipment, data handling and training to an approved mission and budget.
Procurement Pathway
Move From Grant Approval to a Documented Purchase
Confirm Massachusetts and local IT review, grant conditions, system connections and any required BJA UAS approval before ordering.
A cooperative contract does not waive purchasing rules or award terms. Confirm the method and product with the grant administrator and purchasing office.