FY26 COPS Technology and Equipment Program

The COPS Technology and Equipment Program is administered by the Community Oriented Policing Services Office within the U.S. Department of Justice. The COPS Office is responsible for advancing community policing nationwide by supporting law enforcement agencies through funding, training, and technical assistance. This program is authorized under federal appropriations legislation and reflects congressional priorities outlined in the Joint Explanatory Statement tied to Public Law 119-74. As such, the program operates as a congressionally directed, noncompetitive funding opportunity intended to support specific public safety projects identified by lawmakers. The primary purpose of the program is to provide funding for the development, acquisition, and deployment of law enforcement technology, equipment, and interoperable communication systems. These investments are designed to enhance the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to crime while strengthening community policing practices. The funding supports initiatives that improve operational effectiveness, data sharing, and coordination across jurisdictions, ultimately contributing to safer communities and more responsive policing strategies. Allowable uses of funding include the purchase or development of equipment and technologies that align with national standards and support law enforcement functions. All funded equipment must meet applicable requirements established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Office of Law Enforcement Standards. The program emphasizes interoperability and the integration of systems that enable agencies to communicate effectively during routine operations and emergency situations. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the financial barrier for eligible entities to participate. Eligibility for this program is highly restricted. It is an invitational opportunity limited to entities explicitly named in the Congressional Joint Explanatory Statement associated with the relevant appropriations act. Eligible applicants include state governments, local governments, tribal governments, and other designated entities whose official names match those listed in federal documentation and their System for Award Management registration. Additionally, state and local government applicants must comply with federal statutory requirements related to information sharing on citizenship and immigration status under 8 U.S.C. Section 1373. The application process requires submission through federal grant systems, including Grants.gov for the initial SF-424 form and the Justice Grants System for full application materials. Applicants must ensure accurate registration and alignment of entity identifiers. Technical assistance is available through multiple support channels, including Grants.gov customer service and JustGrants support services. Programmatic questions can be directed to the COPS Office Response Center, which also accepts feedback on the funding opportunity and application process. The application timeline reflects a short submission window. The opportunity was posted in early June, with an original deadline in mid-July that was later extended slightly. Applications must be submitted by the final closing date to be considered. As this is a noncompetitive, congressionally directed program, evaluation is tied to compliance with eligibility requirements and alignment with designated project funding rather than a traditional competitive scoring process. Award timing and performance periods are not explicitly detailed but are expected to follow standard federal grant processing timelines after application review and verification.