How to secure grant funding for vape detectors in your school

What are vape detector grants for schools?

Vape detector grants for schools are funds provided to educational facilities by the government or independent agencies to improve school safety and security. While specific vape detector grants are available to schools in some areas, most programs used to fund the purchase of vape detectors fall under the category of school security grants.

What can school security grants be used for?

Security grants fund the purchase and development of school security technologies, educational programs and the hiring of school resource officers. Different grant programs have different terms and are typically intended to fund specific improvements. This means administrators must carefully research grant opportunities to find relevant initiatives.

Some specific programs like SRO/SSO incentive grants may only be used to fund the hiring of resource officers in schools where none currently exist. However, many further-reaching grants, like the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) Fund and the SSSG Program can fund the development of security technologies like school air quality and environmental sensors, access control systems and video security solutions.

If a school intends to use grant funds to finance the development of vape detection systems, leaders must ensure they target applicable programs. This can be straightforward in some states where specific vape detector grants for schools are available, Idaho’s Vape Detector Pilot Grant for example, but often dedicated research into the grant program will be required. 

Prominent vape detector grants for schools

As issues with vaping become more widespread across school districts, several specific vape detector grants for schools have been introduced. A prominent example of this can be found in the recent lawsuits brought against Juul, the e‑cigarette manufacturer. This led to the formation of settlement funds allocated to schools to tackle vaping issues.

Since 2019, Juul has been involved in multiple lawsuits stemming from allegations that the company may have unlawfully marketed its e‑cigarette products to minors. Plaintiffs believe these practices may have contributed to an increase in vaping among school-aged children. As a result, significant settlement funds have been issued to schools across multiple states.

Schools can use said funds to invest in vape detection technologies, enhance anti-vaping policies, implement educational programs and collaborate with public health agencies to develop dedicated anti-vaping campaigns. Unrelated state-specific grants for vape detectors have also been introduced across the US, recent examples of which include:

• The California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant Program
• The Idaho Department of Education Vape Detector Pilot Grant
• The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction AODA Grant

Types of vape detector grants for schools

Administrators may explore multiple avenues in their efforts to secure grant funding for the development of school vape detection systems. This can include government-backed programs at the federal and state levels and grants offered by charitable sources.

Federal government grants for vape detectors 

Federal vape detector grants for schools are monetary funds issued by federal agencies to schools that meet certain criteria. School administrators may apply for federal grants by writing a formal grant proposal and outlining how funds will be spent if the application is accepted. Different programs contain different rules defining how grant funds can be used.

Prominent examples of federal government grants for vape detectors include:

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants: SAMHSA grants fund substance abuse prevention and behavioral health initiatives in local communities. As such, they may be used to fund the development of vape detection systems to combat addiction issues in schools.
• ESSER grants: ESSER funds were initially introduced to provide financial aid to schools impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a percentage of awarded funds can be spent on technologies and initiatives to support social, emotional and academic developments.

State government grants for vape detectors 

Government grants for vape detectors can also be issued at the state and local level, with funds allocated specifically to schools operating within a single locality. Like federal initiatives, school administrators must apply for these awards via a written proposal outlining how grant funds will be spent. Local government agencies issue state grants.

Charitable vape detector grants for schools

Should school administrators fail to identify any applicable vape detector grant programs in their area awarded by federal or state government agencies, they can explore wider options in the form of charitable grants. Such funds are awarded to schools that meet certain criteria by independent charities that may operate either locally or nationally.

How to find grants for vape detectors in schools

There are many useful tools available to school administrators looking to find grants for vape detectors in schools. Stakeholders are advised to use online resources and trusted grant finder tools to locate applicable programs, popular examples of which are listed below.

1. Grants​.gov

Grants​.gov is a comprehensive database containing a list of all available and forecasted federal grant opportunities across the US. The system was chartered under the President’s Management Agenda to provide a ​“centralized location for grant seekers to find and apply for federal funding opportunities”, affording options to refine searches by key criteria like:

• Keywords
• Funding type
• Eligibility
• Category
• Awarding agency

Alongside narrowing down searches using these criteria, for example, by inputting keywords like ​“vape detectors”, ​“vaping” and ​“school security”, stakeholders are advised to review the site regularly for updates on new opportunities. Register an account with the site to receive email alerts about new opportunities, guidelines and deadlines.

2. SAMHSA

School administrators may visit the SAMHSA Grant Dashboard to search for opportunities relevant to public health, behavioral health and addiction support. Grants can be displayed by ​“Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO)” details which provide information about each program’s goals and requirements, or by ​“Awards”to categorize results by awarding bodies.

When searching for grants via the SAMHSA dashboard, stakeholders are advised to include relevant keywords and select the latest ​“Award Fiscal Year” option. Results can be further refined by choosing applicable ​“Funding Type”, ​“State” and ​“Congressional Distinct” options relevant to the school in question from the dropdown menu positioned to the left of the page.

3. School​safe​ty​.gov

Schoolsafety.gov’s Grants Finder Tool can be used to search for grants for vape detectors by a range of specific criteria, including:

• Topic: The goal of the grant. Topics relevant to addiction support and school security include ​“Mental Health”, ​“Targeted Violence” and ​“Public Health”.
• Award amount: The amount of funds awarded to successful applicants. Schools can use this function to ensure results only return grants within a desired funding range.
• Application level of effort: An estimate of how difficult it may be to draft a proposal.
• Grant type: Distinctions between ​“Direct Grants” and ​“Pass-Through Grants”.
• Deadline: Select a month and/​or year for when the application must be submitted.

Stakeholders may also fill out a quiz on the Grants Finder Tool page to narrow down relevant search results and sign up for email alerts regarding new applicable grant opportunities.

Tips for writing a school vape detector grant proposal

Once administrators have identified an appropriate grant program to fund the purchase and implementation of school vape detectors, attention must be turned to writing and submitting a professional grant proposal. On average, only 1 in 10 proposals are accepted by providers, so this process must be thoroughly performed.

1. Research administrative requirements

Administrators must register their schools with the System for Award Management (SAM) to receive funding from federal and state government agencies. If a school is not registered in this database at the time of application, their proposal will be rejected.

2. Appoint a grant proposal team

A successful proposal will contain detailed information that is organized and presented clearly and concisely. Administrators should delegate tasks to trusted colleagues to ensure the reliability and efficiency of this information collection and presentation.

The following positions must be filled:

• Grant advocate: Responsible for identifying suitable grant opportunities, researching application requirements and appointing pre- and post-award managers.
• Project manager: Responsible for addressing administrative and registration needs, coordinating stakeholders and overseeing the submission of the final proposal.
• Proposal writer: Responsible for structuring the proposal around a clear narrative, collecting information to support this narrative and submitting the final proposal.
• Post-award manager: Responsible for meeting purchasing requirements, ensuring deliverables are met and reporting progress in line with pre-discussed grant criteria.

3. Consider grant-specific requirements

Grants for vape detectors and other safety technologies, such as school security cameras, require applicants to fill out a Request for Funding Proposal (RFP) or a Notice of Funding Availability (NFA) at the start of the application process. These documents communicate key criteria that applicants must meet for their funding proposal to be considered and accepted.

Important details outlined in a typical RFP/NFA include:

• Deadline dates
• Registration details
• Contact information
• Formatting requirements
• Desired supporting evidence
• Required signatures and forms

4. Compile additional documentation

Grants for vape detectors and other school security equipment are more likely to be awarded to applicants who clearly outline how funds will be spent and how improvements will benefit students and the wider community.

Consider compiling additional documentation like:

• Risk and threat assessments
• Emergency management plans
• Proposed training procedures
• Action reports and assessments

Alternative funding for school vape detectors

As charitable and government-backed programs for vape detector grants for schools are competitive with many applicants, it is a challenge to secure funding. It’s not uncommon for proposals to be rejected on technical grounds like incorrect formatting to curtail application numbers to a manageable size. 

If desired charitable or government grants for vape detectors are unavailable, administrators can consider one of the alternative funding options discussed below.

Corporate sponsorships

Local businesses interested in supporting their communities may be willing to fund the development of efforts to stop vaping in schools. Business owners and their employees may have children or relatives attending local schools and wish to help promote safer and healthier learning environments by providing funds for school vape detection solutions.

Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) funding

Parents and teachers have a vested interest in protecting students from harm. By leveraging the collective power of PTAs, administrators can coordinate fundraising efforts to finance the development of vape detection systems. Consider these steps when asking for PTA support:

• Detail the scope of the project: Include information about the number of devices required, placements, projected costs and whether additional resources are needed.
• Define fundraising objectives: Determine how much money will be needed and set a realistic timeline for securing funding and implementing proposed technologies.
• Encourage PTA involvement: Promote the importance and benefits of the project to all PTA members and encourage their active participation in fundraising activities.
• Implement awareness campaigns: Run awareness campaigns in the school and the local community to highlight the dangers of vaping and the importance of prevention.

Crowdfunding

Independent crowdfunding initiatives presented through platforms like GoFundMe​.com can help schools request fundraising support in an easily accessible manner. Details defining the proposal, projected timeline and amount of funding required can be included. The GoFundMe page can be shared among wider communities to improve the chance of goals being achieved. 

Non-profit organizations

Numerous established non-profit organizations are already collaborating to support school safety initiatives. Administrators should consider contacting such organizations to request their support in funding the creation of vape detection and wider school security solutions.

Examples include:

• Rotary Clubs
• YMCA
• Girl/​Boy Scouts of America
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• United Way

Summary

Vaping has become a significant problem in many US schools in recent years, with reports suggesting as many as 30% of high school and 10% of middle school-aged children vape regularly. To protect children from the health and academic risks associated with vaping, a growing number of schools are exploring the utilization of vape detection solutions.

While these solutions are effective in deterring and detecting vaping activity, financing their development can be difficult for some institutions. In this case, schools should explore external financing options such as security and vape detector grants. By following the advice above, school administrators can identify applicable programs, write pertinent grant proposals and explore wider funding options to finance vape detectors.