The Vermont Department of Public Safety, Homeland Security Grants Unit is pleased accepting applications for its State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP) Reallocation for Election Security.
What This Program Funds
This grant program supports the purchase of planning, organizational, equipment, and trainings costs, and/or exercises associated with enhancing election security. Up to $145,425 is available.
How Your Community Applies
All applications and supporting documentation must be RECEIVED by the Homeland Security Grants Unit by Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. EST.
The Homeland Security Grant Unit will hold a variety of technical assistance sessions to answer questions on allowable items for application and assist in the development of applications. Registration is required. Complete the registration form(s) for the corresponding session(s) found on page 18 of the Request for Proposal. Registration will close 24 hours prior to each session.
Make Your Community’s Application Competitive
- All municipal applications must be submitted by local governing body (Selectboard, City Council) and not an individual department. (i.e., an application supporting a municipality's fire department must be submitted by the city or town and not by the department itself).
- Projects requiring an Environmental Planning and Historical Preservation (EHP) Review, equipment requiring special justification, or Small Unmanned Aircraft System Equipment requiring additional Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Review may not be prioritized as these reviews can take months or more to complete.
- Any activities proposed that could be used to suppress voter registration or turnout will not be approved.
- Projects must be completed by August 31, 2026.
Where You Can Learn More
For all funding announcements, application materials, instructions and resources, please visit the Vermont Homeland Security Unit website. Please familiarize yourself with the requirements of the funding announcement, what must be submitted, and what requests are allowable.
Find Grant Writing or Grant/Project Management Help
VLCT published a resource, Increasing Municipal Capacity for Grants, that offers ideas for assistance with grants. Many of the capacity builders also provide project management services. Hiring experienced project management assistance can increase the speed of project development and help avoid cost, permitting, and other development surprises.