Security grants support HBCUs experiencing bomb threats

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Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) targeted by a recent wave of bomb threats can apply for campus safety grants through the Project School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) program.

The White House announced the updated eligibility, noting that Project SERV provides short-term immediate funding for local educational agencies and institutions of higher education that have experienced a violent or traumatic incident to assist in restoring a safe environment conducive to learning.

Following the first reports of the threats, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas hosted a briefing with more than 40 presidents of HBCUs from across the nation to share information about grant programs, training resources and other tools available to HBCUs to strengthen campus safety and security. HBCU leaders have identified the need to modernize and update their operations, including campus safety and security, and the need for more resources to help bolster mental health services due to increased apprehension across the campus community.

The Department of Education will work with HBCUs that have received recent bomb threats to determine if Project SERV can help with immediate needs, such as targeted mental health resources or enhanced security to restore the learning environment on their campuses. Awards typically range from $50,000 to $150,000 per school.

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