The Active Attack Response Equipment Grant Program for FY2027 is administered by the Public Safety Office (PSO) under the Texas Office of the Governor. This grant initiative is backed by state funds authorized through a Budget Execution Order ratified on June 28, 2022, and provisions in the Texas General Appropriations Act. With an expected allocation of $15 million for fiscal year 2027, the program seeks to enhance school and community safety by supporting law enforcement agencies in procuring breaching tools and bullet-resistant shields.
The primary goal of this funding opportunity is to better equip peace officers for critical incidents involving active threats. Grant funds are specifically restricted to the purchase of breaching tools and bullet-resistant shields that meet the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Level III, III+, or IV standards. Due to the limited funding pool, applicants are advised to be mindful of costs and will be evaluated based on the number of frontline officers and the per-unit cost of requested equipment.
Eligibility for this program is limited to independent school districts that operate law enforcement agencies employing peace officers, or that have formal agreements with local law enforcement agencies to provide school resource officers. Additionally, local law enforcement agencies must submit applications through their affiliated governmental unit, such as a city or county. These units must provide a fully executed resolution that includes authorization to apply, designation of responsible officials, commitment to return funds if misused, and assurance of matching funds if applicable.
Applications must be submitted through the PSO’s eGrants system, with the portal opening on December 15, 2025, and closing on February 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM CST. Projects may begin no earlier than September 1, 2026, and must not exceed a 12-month duration. While there is no minimum or maximum award amount, all applications must be complete with required documentation, including cybersecurity compliance, federal immigration enforcement certifications, crime reporting completeness, and evidence tracking adherence.
Applicants must also demonstrate that officers using grant-funded shields have completed or will complete 16 hours of Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) within a two-year window. Travel costs for this training may be covered through a separate funding stream. Final award decisions will be made by PSO based on eligibility, cost-effectiveness, and available funds. The Office of the Governor reserves the right to partially fund or deny applications as necessary.
Ensure ALERRT training compliance, NIJ equipment standards, and timely certification uploads. Missing documents will render applications ineligible.
