State Public Safety Grant Guide
Nebraska Public Safety Grants
Funding pathways, grant contacts, compliance notes, available programs, and award examples for Nebraska law enforcement, fire, EMS, homeland security, emergency management, rural response, school safety, investigations, training, and mission support.
This Nebraska 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.
Nebraska 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: No state-wide ban. Agencies may purchase foreign drones unless using federal funds. NDAA-compliance remains mandatory when purchasing drones or covered technologies with federal funds. Agencies should confirm current requirements before issuing solicitations, selecting technology, or spending grant funds.
Available Funding Pathways
Nebraska Grant Opportunities
The programs below include state, federal, federal pass-through, and private funding pathways that may support Nebraska 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lowe's 2026 Community Impact Grant | Private | Lowe's Foundation | Infrastructure Tech / Safety Upgrades | Passed (Mar 20). Next Expected: Feb 2027. |
| BJA – Body-Worn Camera Partnership Program | Federal | BJA | Body-worn cameras / storage / docking / digital-evidence management / policy & 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 | 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 |
| The Cooper Foundation – Program & Tech Support | Private | Cooper Foundation | Technology / Staffing / Advocacy | Ongoing |
| 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 / deterrent measures / school security | Expected: Jun 18, 2026 |
| COPS Office – Technology and Equipment Program (TEP) | Federal | COPS | Interoperable communications / policing tech / equipment | Projected: Apr 1, 2027 |
| Nebraska HSO Mini-Grant – In-Car Cameras | Federal / State | Nebraska DOT HSO (NHTSA) | In-car cameras / digital video systems | Rolling |
| Nebraska HSO Mini-Grant – Computer Equipment | Federal / State | Nebraska DOT HSO (NHTSA) | Computer equipment / e-citation / e-crash reporting hardware and accessories | Rolling |
| Nebraska HSO Mini-Grants – PBTs, Radars & Selective Overtime | Federal / State | Nebraska DOT HSO (NHTSA) | PBT units / radar units / selective overtime enforcement | 30 Days Prior |
| Nebraska Highway Safety Project Grants | Federal / State | Nebraska DOT HSO (NHTSA) | Traffic-safety operations / equipment / training / public education | Projected: Mar 1, 2027 |
| Nebraska Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) | Federal / State | Nebraska Crime Commission (DOJ/BJA) | Technology modernization / data sharing / training / personnel / criminal justice information systems | Projected: Oct 1, 2026 |
| Nebraska Residential Substance Abuse Treatment (RSAT) Program | Federal / State | Nebraska Crime Commission (DOJ/BJA) | Treatment programming / detention-based services / aftercare / recovery support | Passed (Apr 13, 2026). Next Expected: Apr 2027. |
| Nebraska OJJDP Title II Formula Grant Program | Federal / State | Nebraska Crime Commission (DOJ/OJJDP) | Program coordination / evaluation / youth services / system improvement | Passed (Apr 28, 2026). Next Expected: Apr 2027. |
| Nebraska JAG Election Security Funding | Federal / State | Nebraska Crime Commission (DOJ/BJA) | Protective technology / security equipment / threat detection / communications | Passed (Closed for 2024 Elections) |
| Nebraska JAG Technology Grant | Federal / State | Nebraska Crime Commission (DOJ/BJA) | Technology infrastructure / data sharing software / hardware / system modernization | Passed (Fall 2025). Next Expected: Fall 2026. |
| Nebraska JAG Task Force Special Solicitation | Federal / State | Nebraska Crime Commission (DOJ/BJA) | Task-force operations / intelligence / equipment / coordination | Passed (Fall 2025). Next Expected: Fall 2026. |
| Nebraska Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) | Federal / State | Nebraska Crime Commission (DOJ/BJA) | Program implementation / training / crisis-response coordination / intervention support | Passed (Spring 2026). Next Expected: Spring 2027. |
| Nebraska Juvenile Services Commission Grant Program (JS) | State | Nebraska Crime Commission | Program implementation / assessment / treatment / coordination | Passed (Apr 27, 2026). Next Expected: Apr 2027. |
| Nebraska Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) | State | Nebraska Crime Commission | Intervention programming / community partnerships / violence reduction | Passed (Dec 17, 2025). Next Expected: Dec 2026. |
| Nebraska Community-Based Juvenile Services Enhancement Aid (EB) | State | Nebraska Crime Commission | Program expansion / service enhancement / juvenile supports | Check NCC Portal |
| Nebraska Community-Based Juvenile Services Aid (CBA) | State | Nebraska Crime Commission | Program delivery / case management / local juvenile services | Check NCC Portal |
| Nebraska State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) | Federal / State | Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | Equipment / planning / training / exercises / capability development | Expected Spring/Summer 2026 |
| OJJDP – Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program | Federal | OJJDP | Digital forensics / investigative tools / training / victim-service coordination | Projected: Oct 1, 2026 |
| Omaha Police Foundation Support | Private | Omaha Police Foundation | Advanced Tech / Specialized Gear | Ongoing |
| Peter Kiewit Foundation Sunset | Private | Peter Kiewit Foundation | Capital Tech / Community Dev | No New Inquires |
| Sherwood Foundation – Capital & Program Grants | Private | Sherwood Foundation | Long-term Assets / Drones / LPR | Passed (Feb 28, 2026) |
| Nebraska State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) | Federal / State | Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (FEMA/CISA) | Cyber planning / assessments / protective services / cyber workforce / security tools | Projected: Oct 1, 2026 |
| Jack Lewis Safety Fund Grant | Private | Omaha Community Foundation | Essential Upgrades / Drones / Safety | Expected: Sep 1, 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 |
| Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP) | Federal | DOJ BJA | Body armor vests | Check BVP Portal |
Award Intelligence
Recent Nebraska Public-Safety Award Examples
Award examples help agencies see that Nebraska counties, cities, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County / Hastings City | Local JAG FY2024 | County-municipal joint allocation | $10,291 | FY 2024 |
| Buffalo County / Kearney City | Local JAG FY2024 | County-municipal joint allocation | $14,938 | FY 2024 |
| Douglas County / Omaha City | Local JAG FY2024 | County-municipal joint allocation | $385,383 | FY 2024 |
| Hall County / Grand Island City | Local JAG FY2024 | County-municipal joint allocation | $26,141 | FY 2024 |
| Lancaster County / Lincoln City | Local JAG FY2024 | County-municipal joint allocation | $152,286 | FY 2024 |
| Sarpy County / Bellevue City | Local JAG FY2024 | County-municipal joint allocation | $13,070 | FY 2024 |
The Nebraska award dataset reviewed for this page includes 6 award records totaling approximately $602,109 across records with numeric award amounts.
MAXSUR Solution Pathways
Connect Nebraska 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, Nebraska 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.