Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSNM)

The Project Safe Neighborhoods Maryland (PSNM) Grant Program, administered by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy (GOCPP), is a strategic initiative aimed at combating violent crime across Maryland. Originating from a nationwide initiative led by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2002, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) focuses on reducing gun violence and dismantling criminal networks through collaborative partnerships. The PSNM program continues this mission by supporting local and state agencies in Maryland to develop, implement, and sustain comprehensive anti-gang and violent crime strategies within their jurisdictions. This program emphasizes the importance of forming dedicated PSN task forces that involve key partners such as local law enforcement, State’s Attorney’s Offices, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and a wide array of community stakeholders including educational institutions, social service agencies, faith-based organizations, and local neighborhood associations. Applicants are expected to propose jurisdiction-specific strategies that integrate the core PSN elements: Community Engagement, Prevention and Intervention, Focused and Strategic Enforcement, and Accountability. Programs must be data-informed and responsive to identified violent crime trends in the proposed enforcement areas. Approximately $243,167 is available through this grant opportunity, with individual awards ranging between $100,000 and $243,167. Applicants must request within this funding range; proposals outside this threshold will be removed from consideration. Notably, at least 30% of the requested funds must be allocated toward gang task force operations targeting regions with significant or growing activity from criminal or transnational organizations. Funding is disbursed on a quarterly reimbursement basis and the performance period spans from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. There is no cost-share requirement for this funding opportunity. Eligibility is limited to Maryland-based entities including local and municipal governments, law enforcement agencies at both local and state levels, and State’s Attorney’s Offices. Each applicant must submit a comprehensive plan for establishing or supporting a PSN task force that includes the aforementioned required partners. Additionally, supporting documentation such as Letters of Commitment from all participating partners and a current W-9 form must be submitted with the application. Submissions must adhere to prescribed word limits for each narrative section and be fully completed within the Grants Management System (GMS); hard copy submissions are not accepted. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria such as organizational capacity, problem statement justification, alignment with PSN goals, data-informed strategy design, budget justification, and sustainability planning. Applicants must clearly demonstrate the impact of proposed activities and their ability to track performance through defined metrics. The application window opens in August 2025, and all materials must be submitted by September 12, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. A technical assistance webinar will be held on August 26, 2025, to assist prospective applicants. For further assistance or questions, interested parties may contact Grant Manager Sharon Leason or Fiscal Specialist Courtney Thomas. Additionally, inquiries about program design can be directed to Richard Alban or Martin Hammond within the Office. This grant opportunity represents a vital resource for communities seeking to enhance public safety through coordinated, evidence-based violence reduction efforts in partnership with law enforcement and community stakeholders.

Adhere strictly to word limits; 30% of budget must support gang task force efforts; incomplete or late applications will be disqualified.