Grant Manual
An essential resource for all current and future ECN grantees is the ECN Grant Manual. Grant recipients and grant management staff are encouraged to review this document and keep it handy during the course of their grant's lifecycle. The manual is reviewed on an annual basis. The document was most recently updated Janauary 2024. A markup and clean version can be downloaded using the links below. For questions on the ECN Grant Manual or to receive this document in alternative formats, contact the ECN Grants Coordinator.
ECN Grants Manual, version 2.0:
_ECN Grants Manual_2024_rev 2.0-clean_COMBINED.pdf
ECN Grants Manual, version 2.0, with markup:_ECN Grants Manual_2024_rev 2.0-markup_COMBINED.pdf
Current Grant Programs
SECB Grant Program
In partnership with DPS-ECN, the Statewide Emergency Communications Board (SECB) provides grant funding to support activities related to the development of emergency communications capabilities within the state’s seven Emergency Communications Board (ECB) and Emergency Services Board (ESB) regions.
Under Minnesota State Statute 403.36 (1g)(4), the SECB has been granted the authority to ‘advise the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety on public safety communications interoperability and on the allocation and use of funds made available to Minnesota to support public safety communications interoperability’. Under this authority, the SECB Finance Committee, the SECB Grants Workgroup, and MN DPS-ECN have been tasked with identifying suitable grant funded projects for SECB approval.
For State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2024-2025 (July 1, 2023 thru June 30, 2025), the SECB has identified two grant programs under this authority. The Grant Request for Proposal (RFP) documents and application forms are available below. Applicants should note that the two grant programs have separate requirements and due dates. Applicants are encouraged to review the application materials in full before applying. Questions about these grant programs may be directed to the ECN Grants Coordinator.
SFY 2024-2025 SECB Governance Support Grant
The purpose of the Governance Support Grant is to support regional planning and participation, governance, and related activities that support interoperable communications across the state. Funds made available through this program may be used to:
- Reimburse staff hours that directly support the region's governance activities.
- Hire a planner or contract for planning services for the purpose of supporting regional governance.
Applications for this program are currently closed. Future opportunities will be posted on the ECN website.
SFY 2024-2025 SECB Grant
The purpose of the SECB Grant is to support regional planning and participation in statewide emergency communications systems and to allow regions to carry out activities that support interoperable communications across the state. The program is designed to address four priority areas as designated in the SECB Investment Hierarchy for SFY 2024-2025.
- Priority 1: Planning
- Projects that include costs related to planning and implementation that enhance first responder communication through collaboration within counties, regions and the state will be considered.
- Priority 2: New Equipment and Related Operational Costs (50% Local Match Required)
- Projects that include equipment that enhances regional communications through infrastructure within the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and all other PSAP operational capabilities.
- Operational costs as part of the project are allowed as a prorated cost occurring only within the timeline of the grant.
- All equipment and related operational costs must include a 50% local match. Applicants must provide documentation of the match source and amount available in order to be considered.
- Priority 3: Training
- Projects that include costs related to training to enhance usage of equipment, increase knowledge of applications and overall education-focused criteria will be considered.
- Priority 4: Exercise
- Projects that include costs related to exercises that enhance usage of equipment, increasing knowledge of applications, and enhance skills and knowledge in a supervised setting as it relates to PSAPs will be considered.
Applications for this program are currently closed. Future opportunities will be posted on the ECN website.
Upcoming Grant Programs
Statewide Public Safety Radio Communication System ARMER Equipment Grants
In the 2023 legislative session, ECN received $4 million in general funds for a new, statewide public safety radio communication system equipment grant program.
Local units of government, federally recognized tribal entities, and state agencies participating in the statewide Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (ARMER) public safety radio communication system can apply to use funds from this one-time appropriation to purchase or upgrade portable radios, mobile radios, and related equipment that is interoperable with the ARMER system. Each local government unit may receive only one grant, and it is contingent upon a match of at least 5 percent from non-state funds.
ECN, in consultation with the Statewide Emergency Communications Board (SECB), will administer the grant program. The SECB will form a workgroup to provide input and coordinate with ECN on the development and administration of this grant. Interested parties should reach out to the ECN Grants Coordinator Rebeccah Roberts rebeccah.m.roberts@state.mn.us. More information about applying to these grants, as well as the timeline for receiving and spending funds, will be made available as the grant planning process develops.
Past Grant Programs
Federal NG911 Grant Award
DPS-ECN received over $1.5 million in federal funds matched with $1.5 million in state funds as part of the Federal NG911 Grant Program from 2019-2022. The grant closed in March 2022. DPS-ECN is monitoring opportunities for future NG911 grant programs and will update this website when more information becomes available.
T-CPR Grant Training Program
DPS-ECN received approximately $306,000 in T-CPR Training Grant Program funding available to reimburse eligible Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) for training expenses related to achieving compliance with SECB Standard 911-3 (Telephone CPR Statewide Operational Standard) and the Telephone Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (T-CPR) provisions of Minnesota State Statute 403.03 (911 Services To Be Provided). The program ran from February to July 2021. No future cycles are anticipated at this time.
SHSP Grant Program
The State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) is a federally funded grant program intended to support state, local, tribal, and territorial efforts to build, sustain, and deliver the capabilities necessary to prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to acts of terrorism.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Homeland Security & Emergency Management Division (DPS-HSEM) is the designated recipient of federal SHSP grant funding. DPS-ECN does not sub-grant this award to other entities. Interested parties should review the grant information and materials available on HSEM's website.
Required Forms
In order to improve upon the grant process and provide a clearer guidance mechanism for the individuals and organizations that DPS-ECN provides services to our department has created the following form:
For questions regarding ECN grants, please contact Rebeccah Roberts at rebeccah.m.roberts@state.mn.us.
To access the Department of Public Safety grant management system, visit the Department of Public Safety e-grants.
