Nebraska State Funding
State Funding
Nebraska has used state-funded grant programs to support school safety infrastructure and emergency response mapping. These programs helped public and nonpublic schools improve physical security, emergency preparedness, and first-responder coordination.
School Safety and Security-Related Infrastructure Grant
LB705
The Nebraska Department of Education administered the School Safety and Security-Related Infrastructure Grant to help schools improve physical security and safety-related infrastructure.
The program was supported by a $10 million state allocation and was open to public and nonpublic schools. Applications were reviewed using a rubric that considered factors such as need, objectives, assessment, implementation, stakeholder engagement, poverty percentage, evidence-based practices, and allowable uses.
Funding supported security-related infrastructure projects aligned with the four pillars of school safety and security: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Eligible improvements could include:
- door-locking mechanisms;
- window security improvements;
- video surveillance;
- visitor management systems;
- emergency notification systems;
- two-way radios;
- improved lighting;
- screening devices;
- bollards;
- bleeding control kits;
- other approved safety infrastructure.
The Nebraska Department of Education announced $10 million in awards in 2024. NDE reported receiving 217 applications and awarding grants to 171 school districts.
A later public report identified awards to 122 public districts and 43 private schools, with funds required to be obligated by August 15, 2025. As of July 2026, no additional round has been publicly confirmed, so this should be described as a previously awarded funding opportunity.
School Emergency Response Mapping Fund
Nebraska created the School Emergency Response Mapping Fund to help schools implement digital mapping data that supports emergency response.
The fund is administered by the Nebraska Department of Education and may be used for grants related to school mapping data. State law states the Legislature intended to transfer $525,000 from the General Fund to the School Emergency Response Mapping Fund for fiscal year 2024–25.
The purpose of the mapping program is to provide first responders and authorized public safety partners with accurate school building and campus information during emergencies.
Mapping data should support emergency response by including accurate, accessible, and standardized information such as:
- school building layouts;
- room labels and hallway names;
- exterior doors and stairwells;
- utility locations;
- hazards;
- key boxes;
- automated external defibrillators;
- trauma kits;
- parking areas;
- athletic fields;
- surrounding roads;
- neighboring properties;
- aerial imagery;
- true north orientation;
- grid coordinates.
The Nebraska Department of Education reported in April 2025 that 85 applicants, including 62 public districts and 23 nonpublic schools, applied for a share of the $525,000 in mapping funds, and 66 schools and districts were awarded. As of July 2026, no additional state mapping grant round has been publicly confirmed.
Current Funding Status
As of July 2026, Nebraska’s major school safety infrastructure and mapping grants appear to be past or awarded funding rounds. Schools should continue to monitor the Nebraska Department of Education and the Nebraska Legislature for future appropriations, new application windows, or additional school-safety grant opportunities.
The funding information and links provided on this page are based on publicly available information at the time of publication. While we make every effort to keep this resource current and relevant, funding programs, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and website links may change over time. If you discover outdated information, inaccurate content, or a broken link, please let us know by emailing info@carehawk.com.