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Building and Cyber Security Grant Program - Round Two

Building & Cyber Security Grant Program

Overview
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) is administering the Building and Cyber Security Grant Program established during the 2023 legislative session. The program provides reimbursement funding to eligible local education agencies (LEAs) for qualifying cybersecurity and building security expenditures.

Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2026. Approved reimbursements will be distributed through IDEAS beginning on October 15, 2026. Supporting documentation may be submitted through December 31, 2026.

Eligible Uses of Funds
Funds may be used to reimburse eligible expenditures incurred on or after June 1, 2026, for cybersecurity and building security purposes. Eligible expenditures include cyber liability insurance and qualifying security equipment as defined under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.44, subdivision 4, clause (7).

Please review the lists below for examples of eligible and ineligible expenditures.
Eligible Cybersecurity Expenditures
  • Cyber liability insurance
  • Network protection systems, including firewalls, web filtering, and network monitoring tools or upgrades
  • Endpoint security solutions, including EDR and antivirus/anti-malware software
  • Access security measures, including multi-factor authentication
  • Data protection and recovery systems, including secure backups and ransomware protection
  • Secure infrastructure improvements, including servers and related upgrades
  • Cybersecurity assessments and planning activities directly tied to security implementation
Eligible Building Security Expenditures
  • Access control systems, including remote door locking and unlocking
  • Surveillance systems, including cameras and video management systems
  • Communication systems, including intercoms and public announcement systems
  • Perimeter security improvements, including fencing and controlled-entry gates
  • Building hardening improvements, including reinforced doors/windows and security blinds
  • Supporting infrastructure necessary for the implementation of approved security technology
  • Emergency communication devices and facility modifications related to violence prevention and facility security
Ineligible Expenditures
  • Radios, walkie-talkies, and other handheld communication devices
  • Laptops, Chromebooks, iPads, or other student devices
  • Classroom instructional technology, including smartboards, projectors, and audiovisual systems
  • Classroom management or student monitoring software
  • Phones, including desk phones, cell phones, and VOIP systems
  • School emergency preparedness or incident management platforms
  • Staff salaries, wages, or contracted staffing costs
  • Staff training or professional development
  • First aid kits and routine medical supplies
  • Software unrelated to security functions, including learning platforms, grading systems, and productivity tools
  • Visitor management or visitor screening systems
  • Label printers
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Funding Allocations

School districts are grouped based on Final FY2025 Average Daily Membership (ADM) counts.
Group FY2025 ADM Range Total Allocation Award per District
Group 1 0–430 ADM $990,000 $15,000
Group 2 431–703 ADM $1,188,000 $18,000
Group 3 704–1,122 ADM $1,430,000 $22,000
Group 4 1,123–2,805 ADM $1,716,000 $26,000
Group 5 2,806–37,398 ADM $2,046,000 $31,000

Charter schools, intermediate districts and cooperatives, and American Indian-controlled tribal contract or grant schools will share a combined allocation of $3,375,000, with a maximum award of $15,000 per LEA.

LEAs will receive the lesser of:
Their maximum capped award amount; or
The combined total of reported amounts in Questions 5 and 7.
Any remaining grant funds not distributed during the initial allocation process may be redistributed during a third reimbursement round in January 2027. All funds must be allocated by June 30, 2027.

District Group Lookup

To determine a district’s assigned funding group, please refer to the Building and Cyber Security Grant Program District Group Lookup link below.

District Group Document

If the link does not open directly, right-click the link and select “Open in New Window” to initiate the download.

Questions and Accommodations

Questions regarding the application process or allowable use of funds may be directed to: MDE.Cybersecuritygrant@state.mn.us

If you need an accommodation related to this survey or application process, please contact: MDE.Qualityteam@state.mn.us
1.District Number - Please use the format (0001-01) - please put the district number and district type in this order and do not add text - it is important that LEAs submit this in the right format
2.Contact Information - First and Last Name
3.Contact Email Address
4.Contact Phone Number
5.Estimated amount of cybersecurity-related costs, including cyber liability insurance, cybersecurity software and hardware, cyber security assessments, and other eligible cybersecurity expenditures.
6.Please upload supporting documentation, including a quote, invoice, purchase order, or receipt, for the cybersecurity costs reported in Question 5. Documentation must include the company or vendor name, description of the service or equipment provided, date of service or purchase, and total cost. If documentation is not currently available, please email the documentation to: MDE.Cybersecuritygrant@state.mn.us by December 31, 2026.
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7.Estimated amount of building security equipment and facility security enhancement costs that qualify under Minnesota Statutes, section 126C.44, subdivision 4, clause (7).

Minnesota Statutes, 126C.44, subdivision 4, clause (7) authorizes expenditures: “to pay for facility security enhancements including laminated glass, public announcement systems, emergency communications devices, and equipment and facility modifications related to violence prevention and facility security.”
8.Please upload supporting documentation, including a quote, invoice, purchase order, or receipt, for the building security expenditures reported in Question 7. Documentation must include the company or vendor name, description of the service or equipment provided, date of service or purchase, and total cost. If documentation is not currently available, please email the documentation to: MDE.Cybersecuritygrant@state.mn.us by December 31, 2026.
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