State Public Safety Grant Guide
Montana Public Safety Grants
Funding pathways, grant contacts, compliance notes, available programs, and award examples for Montana law enforcement, fire, EMS, homeland security, emergency management, school safety, investigations, training, rural response, tribal public safety, search and rescue, and mission support.
This Montana 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, rural public safety, search and rescue, training, and broader mission support.
Montana 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: Montana is flagged in this dataset for an active state-agency restriction related to DJI/Autel equipment under an ITSD policy with a phase-out period. The dataset notes that local agencies may be unaffected unless using state or federal funds; however, NDAA compliance remains mandatory when purchasing covered drones or technologies with federal funds. Agencies should confirm current requirements before issuing solicitations, selecting technology, or spending grant funds.
Available Funding Pathways
Montana Grant Opportunities
The programs below include state, federal, federal pass-through, and private funding pathways that may support Montana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | Equipment / records / investigative tools / operations | Expected: Apr 1, 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 | 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 technology / 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 |
| Montana State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) | Federal / State | Montana DES (FEMA/CISA) | Security awareness training / MFA / EDR / network monitoring / cyber training | Varies (Contact Montana DES) |
| Montana State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP) | Federal / State | Montana DES (FEMA/DHS) | Equipment / training / exercises / planning / interoperability | Varies (Contact Montana DES) |
| General Quarterly Grant Program | Private | Gianforte Family Foundation | Wellness Tech / Training / SAR | Expected: Jul 20, 2026 |
| Montana Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training Program | State | Montana Board of Crime Control | Training / curriculum / community-based response | Varies (Check MBCC Portal) |
| Montana Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (Byrne SCIP) | Federal / State | Montana Board of Crime Control (DOJ/BJA) | Training / program implementation / intervention support | Expected: Aug 1, 2026 |
| Montana JAG Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Forces (MJDTF) | Federal / State | Montana Board of Crime Control (DOJ/BJA) | Task-force operations / intelligence / investigative support / equipment | Varies (Check MBCC Portal) |
| Montana National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) | Federal / State | Montana Board of Crime Control (DOJ/BJS) | Records systems / automation / interstate data access / NICS-related reporting | Varies (Check MBCC Portal) |
| Montana Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) | Federal / State | Montana Board of Crime Control (DOJ/BJA) | Information sharing / technology / equipment / training | Varies (Check MBCC Portal) |
| Montana Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program | Federal / State | Montana Board of Crime Control (DOJ/NIJ) | Forensic equipment / backlog reduction / laboratory staffing / training | Varies (Check MBCC Portal) |
| Montana Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program | Federal / State | Montana Board of Crime Control (DOJ/BJA) | Treatment programming / jail-based services / aftercare | Varies (Check MBCC Portal) |
| Montana Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) | Federal / State | Montana Board of Crime Control (DOJ/BJA) | Task-force support / enforcement coordination / prevention | Varies (Check MBCC Portal) |
| Montana PREA & SORNA Grants | Federal / State | Montana Board of Crime Control (DOJ) | Registry systems / compliance / notification infrastructure | Varies (Check MBCC Portal) |
| MCF – Community Investment Program (CIP) | Private | Montana Community Foundation | SAR Gear / UTVs / Surveillance | Expected: Nov 1, 2026 |
| OJJDP – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program | Federal | OJJDP | Digital forensics / investigative tools / training / victim-service coordination | Projected: Oct 1, 2026 |
| Community Service Grant | Private | Dennis & Phyllis Washington Foundation | Community Safety Tech / Training | Rolling (Ongoing) |
| First Interstate Bank – Community Grants | Private | First Interstate BancSystem Foundation | Safety Tech / Traffic / Infrastructure | Rolling (Monthly Decisions) |
| OVW – Improving Criminal Justice Responses (ICJR) Program | Federal | OVW | Case management / lethality assessment tools / victim-response technology / limited investigative tools | Projected: Apr 30, 2027 |
| Montana Highway Traffic Safety Grants – LE Only | Federal / State | MDT (NHTSA) | Overtime enforcement / traffic-safety operations / equipment / training | Expected: Jan 1, 2027 |
| Montana Law Enforcement Mini-Grant Program | Federal / State | MDT (NHTSA) | Increased patrol / event enforcement / mobilization support | Rolling Currently Open (FFY26) |
| Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) | Federal | DOJ OJP | Body armor vests | Varies (Federal deadline usually Spring/Summer) |
| Murdock Trust – Strategic Project Grants | Private | M.J. Murdock Trust | SAR Tech / New Tech Startup Costs | Rolling LOI (Cycles: Apr/Aug/Nov) |
| Lowe's 2026 Community Impact Grant | Private | Lowe's Foundation | Infrastructure Tech / Safety Upgrades | Expected: Mar 1, 2027 |
Award Intelligence
Recent Montana Public-Safety Award Examples
Award examples help agencies see that Montana departments, counties, cities, tribes, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal joint allocation | $34,643 | FY 2024 |
| Lewis and Clark County | Local JAG FY2024 | County joint allocation | $11,574 | FY 2024 |
| Helena City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal joint allocation | $27,477 | FY 2024 |
| Missoula County | Local JAG FY2024 | County joint allocation | $14,103 | FY 2024 |
| Missoula City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal joint allocation | $52,962 | FY 2024 |
| Yellowstone County | Local JAG FY2024 | County joint allocation | $16,287 | FY 2024 |
| Billings City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal joint allocation | $126,080 | FY 2024 |
| Blackfeet Tribe | Local JAG FY2024 | Tribal direct allocation | $20,349 | FY 2024 |
| Bozeman City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal direct allocation | $20,617 | FY 2024 |
| Butte-Silver Bow City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal direct allocation | $14,639 | FY 2024 |
| Flathead County | Local JAG FY2024 | County direct allocation | $25,101 | FY 2024 |
| Gallatin County | Local JAG FY2024 | County direct allocation | $16,555 | FY 2024 |
| Kalispell City | Local JAG FY2024 | Municipal direct allocation | $12,876 | FY 2024 |
| Lake County | Local JAG FY2024 | County direct allocation | $15,942 | FY 2024 |
| Northern Cheyenne Tribe | Local JAG FY2024 | Tribal direct allocation | $10,845 | FY 2024 |
The Montana award dataset reviewed for this page includes 15 award records totaling approximately $420,050 across records with numeric award amounts.
MAXSUR Solution Pathways
Connect Montana 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, Montana 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.