BJA FY25 Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Program

The Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), part of the U.S. Department of Justice, has announced the fiscal year 2025 Student, Teachers, and Officers Preventing (STOP) School Violence Program. This initiative is funded under Assistance Listing 16.839 and is intended to strengthen school safety nationwide by providing resources to educational institutions and local governments. The BJA has a history of supporting justice system improvements and public safety initiatives, and this program aligns with its mission by addressing the critical issue of preventing violence in K–12 schools. The STOP School Violence Program seeks to prevent and reduce incidents of violence in educational settings. It provides support for training programs, school threat assessment and intervention teams, and the implementation of evidence-based strategies that can reduce risks of violent behavior. Allowable uses of funds include the development of anonymous reporting technologies, the creation or enhancement of teams to assess and mitigate threats, and the provision of educational tools to help students, teachers, and staff recognize warning signs and respond effectively to potential threats. The overarching purpose is to create safer environments for students and educators, reducing both the likelihood and impact of school violence. The scope of funding is broad enough to allow applicants to tailor projects to their specific local needs. Funds may be used to introduce technology-based solutions, build staff capacity through training, or implement schoolwide safety initiatives. By doing so, applicants are encouraged to propose comprehensive approaches that integrate prevention and intervention. The program emphasizes evidence-informed strategies and collaboration between schools, law enforcement, and community partners to maximize the effectiveness of funded projects. Eligibility for this opportunity is wide-ranging. Applicants may include state governments, county and city or township governments, independent school districts, special district governments, Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized, and both public and private institutions of higher education. In addition, nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status are eligible, provided they are not institutions of higher education. Private K–12 schools, including private charter schools, and public charter schools may also apply. This diverse eligibility framework ensures that various entities working in school safety can access funding. The application process is managed through Grants.gov. Applications must be submitted by October 31, 2025, which is the final deadline for this cycle. There are no listed pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers, so applicants can proceed directly to submission of a full application package. The program is posted on September 18, 2025, and there is no indication of rolling deadlines. Given its recurring annual nature, applicants can anticipate future opportunities if they are not able to apply during this cycle. Evaluation criteria are not detailed in the synopsis, but applicants should expect to be assessed on the clarity of their proposed projects, their ability to demonstrate potential impact, and the degree to which their strategies align with the goals of the STOP School Violence Program. The total estimated program funding for FY25 is $2,000,000, with an award ceiling of $2,000,000. The expected number of awards is 79, meaning awards may vary in size depending on the scope of proposed projects. There is no matching requirement for this opportunity, which makes it more accessible to applicants with limited financial resources. For further assistance or questions regarding the application process, applicants are directed to contact the Office of Justice Programs Response Center at OJP.ResponseCenter@usdoj.gov. This email serves as the primary communication channel for inquiries. No phone number was provided in the synopsis. Applicants should ensure compliance with all Grants.gov submission requirements and submit well in advance of the deadline to avoid technical or administrative issues.