Student Peer Mediation Grant Program (SPMP)

The Student Peer Mediation Program (SPMP), administered by the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy in Maryland, is a state-funded initiative designed to address and reduce juvenile violence through the establishment of peer mediation programs in Baltimore City schools and community-based organizations. The Office, guided by its broader mission to enhance public safety and reduce crime through collaborative state and local strategies, established the SPMP fund in alignment with Chapter 736, HB1346 (2019), enabling the launch of school-based conflict resolution programs. These programs are intended to be student-led and grounded in best practices, ensuring sustainability and impact within communities most affected by youth violence. The grant program seeks to empower schools and nonprofit organizations by providing them with the resources necessary to implement structured peer mediation initiatives that support student development in conflict resolution, communication, and leadership. The ultimate goal is to foster safer school environments and reduce the incidence of youth involvement in the juvenile justice system. Applicants must demonstrate their ability to adopt or align with recommended standards from the Association for Conflict Resolution, emphasizing student inclusion, safety, and effectiveness in managing interpersonal disputes. The Office encourages integration with broader violence prevention efforts, especially within communities identified under the ENOUGH initiative, which targets areas with concentrated child poverty. Eligible applicants include Baltimore City public schools and nonprofit community-based organizations that are either partnered with these schools or independently delivering services. Faith-based organizations may apply provided they separate religious activities from grant-funded services. Nonprofit applicants must have 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) status and provide documentation such as IRS letters, bylaws, or articles of incorporation. All applicants must be registered in SAM.gov with a valid UEI number and be users of Maryland's Grants Management System (GMS) to submit applications online. The application deadline is April 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, and applicants are required to upload a comprehensive set of documents through the GMS portal, including project narratives, budget plans, and assurance forms. The SFY 2027 funding cycle spans from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027. The Office anticipates awarding a single grant of up to $50,000, with potential continuation funding for two additional fiscal years (SFY 2028 and 2029), contingent on availability of funds and performance outcomes. Applicants are expected to collect and report on outcome-based metrics such as the number of youth served, program completion rates, and reductions in justice system involvement or gang activity. All costs must be reasonable, allowable, and allocable under the federal Uniform Guidance, and the grant operates on a reimbursement basis. Applications are evaluated on a 100-point scale based on criteria such as organizational capacity, project design, goals and outcomes, budget justification, and adherence to program priorities. Technical assistance is offered via training videos and a live conference call scheduled for March 27, 2026. A sample application includes narrative components such as project design, data collection, sustainability, and grant personnel, as well as a required Organizational Capacity Questionnaire submitted through Qualtrics. Primary contacts for the program include Grant Monitor Yvette Williams ([email protected]) and Fund Manager Jennifer Krabill ([email protected]). Technical support for the GMS portal is provided by [email protected]. The Office emphasizes transparency, accountability, and timely reporting as key responsibilities for successful grantees. All funds must be spent within the grant period, and grantees must maintain strong records for potential audit and compliance verification.

Adhere strictly to word limits or risk disqualification; use the budget prioritization tab; review GMS instructions before submission.