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Training · funding

Grants & free training

22 programs that pay for training, equipment, staffing and education, each linked to its official page. Checked November 3, 2026.

22 programs
Agency grantFederalFireEMS

Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG)

FEMA

Who applies
Fire departments, nonaffiliated EMS organizations and state fire training academies
Funds
Equipment, PPE, vehicles, training and wellness programs
Status
FY2025 application period ran May 19 – June 22, 2026; awards began Sept 30, 2026. Watch for the next notice.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalFire

Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER)

FEMA

Who applies
Fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations
Funds
Hiring firefighters, and recruitment and retention of volunteers
Status
Annual program. Check FEMA for the current notice.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalFire

Fire Prevention and Safety Grants (FP&S)

FEMA

Who applies
Fire departments and national, state, local or community organizations
Funds
Fire prevention, public education and firefighter safety research
Status
Part of FEMA's fire grants family. Check the hub for the current notice.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalPoliceFireEMSDispatchCorrections

Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP, UASI, OPSG)

FEMA

Who applies
State Administrative Agencies apply; local agencies receive subawards through their state
Funds
Planning, organization, equipment, training and exercises
Status
FY2026 applications were due July 24, 2026. Ask your state's SAA about subawards.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalDispatchFireEMS

Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG)

FEMA

Who applies
State and territory emergency management agencies; local programs receive pass-through funds
Funds
Emergency management capabilities, including training and exercises
Status
Annual. Local emergency managers apply through their state EMA.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalDispatchPoliceFireEMS

State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP)

FEMA / CISA

Who applies
State Administrative Agencies; local governments receive pass-through funds
Funds
Cybersecurity planning, workforce training and system protection
Status
Relevant to 911 centers and agency IT. Ask your SAA.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalPoliceCorrections

Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG)

DOJ · Bureau of Justice Assistance

Who applies
States and units of local government
Funds
A broad range of criminal justice programs, including law enforcement, corrections, training and equipment
Status
Annual formula program. Check BJA for allocations.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalPoliceCorrections

Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership (BVP)

DOJ · Bureau of Justice Assistance

Who applies
State, local and tribal law enforcement agencies
Funds
Reimburses up to 50% of the cost of body armor
Status
FY2026 application window closed Oct 30, 2026.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalPolice

COPS Hiring Program (CHP)

DOJ · COPS Office

Who applies
State, local and tribal law enforcement agencies
Funds
Hiring or rehiring community policing officers
Status
Annual. See the COPS Office for the current solicitation.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalPolice

Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act (LEMHWA) grants

DOJ · COPS Office

Who applies
Law enforcement agencies and partners
Funds
Peer support, mental health and wellness programs for officers
Status
Annual. See the COPS Office.
Official page ↗
Search toolFederalPolice

COPS Office grant programs

DOJ · COPS Office

Who applies
Law enforcement agencies
Funds
All current COPS Office funding opportunities in one place
Status
Index page.
Official page ↗
Agency grantFederalPoliceFireEMSDispatchCorrections

SAMHSA grants

HHS · SAMHSA

Who applies
Varies by notice: states, local governments, tribes and nonprofits
Funds
Mental health and substance use programs, including some first responder training
Status
Check open notices.
Official page ↗
Search toolFederalEMSFire

Rural EMS funding guide

Rural Health Information Hub

Who applies
Rural EMS agencies
Funds
A maintained list of federal, state and foundation funding for rural EMS
Status
Index page.
Official page ↗
Search toolFederalPoliceFireEMSDispatchCorrections

Grants.gov search

U.S. government

Who applies
Anyone searching federal funding
Funds
Every federal grant notice. Search "first responder", "firefighter" or "law enforcement"
Status
Search tool.
Official page ↗
State programCAPoliceDispatch

CA POST Reimbursement Program

California Commission on POST

Who applies
Participating California agencies
Funds
Reimbursement for eligible POST-certified training
Status
Ongoing. Your training manager files the claims.
Official page ↗
State programPAFireEMS

Fire Company & EMS Grant Program

Pennsylvania OSFC

Who applies
Pennsylvania fire companies and EMS companies
Funds
Facilities, equipment, debt reduction, and training and certification
Status
2026–27 applications were due Oct 22, 2026.
Official page ↗
State programTXFire

Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program

Texas A&M Forest Service

Who applies
Texas volunteer fire departments
Funds
Equipment, vehicles and training assistance
Status
Ongoing program. See the Forest Service for cycles.
Official page ↗
Tuition-free trainingFederalPoliceFireEMSDispatchCorrections

FEMA tuition-free training (NTED)

DHS / FEMA

Who applies
Eligible responders from every discipline
Funds
Tuition-free courses from DHS/FEMA training partners, many with travel covered for eligible students
Status
Many of these sessions are already in our directory.
See in directoryOfficial page ↗
Tuition-free trainingFederalFireEMS

National Fire Academy

U.S. Fire Administration

Who applies
Fire and emergency services personnel
Funds
Tuition-free on-campus, regional and online courses
Status
See NFA admissions for application periods.
Official page ↗
Tuition-free trainingFederalPolice

VALOR Initiative

DOJ · Bureau of Justice Assistance

Who applies
Law enforcement officers
Funds
No-cost officer safety and wellness training
Status
Ongoing.
Official page ↗
Education benefitFederalPoliceFireEMSDispatchCorrections

Post-9/11 GI Bill

Department of Veterans Affairs

Who applies
Eligible veterans and service members
Funds
Tuition, housing and books for approved programs, which can include academies and degrees
Status
Check whether your program is VA-approved.
Official page ↗
Education benefitFederalPoliceFireEMSDispatchCorrections

GI Bill on-the-job training and apprenticeships

Department of Veterans Affairs

Who applies
Eligible veterans in a VA-approved on-the-job program
Funds
A monthly housing payment while you train on the job
Status
Ask your agency whether its program is VA-approved.
Official page ↗
We list only what we can verify. Amounts, eligibility and deadlines change every cycle. Always read the current notice of funding opportunity. Know a state program we should add? Tell us.