DHS funds earmarked for violent extremism, terrorism prevention

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials said the agency has earmarked grant funding totaling $20 million to address domestic violent extremism and terrorism prevention.

Officials indicated the 37 grant awards would be allocated via the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program.

“Domestic violent extremism and targeted violence pose significant and persistent threats to our homeland,” Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas said. “Attacks on schools, houses of worship, workplaces and public gatherings threaten Americans’ lives and inflict trauma on our communities. The Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program prioritizes investments that empower and equip communities across our country to prevent acts of violence before they occur.”

DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) manages the TVTP Grant Program, which is the sole federal initiative dedicated to bolstering local community endeavors seeking to prevent targeted violence and terrorism.

Prevention efforts, per authorities, will focus on providing communities with evidence-based tools while protecting civil rights, civil liberties and privacy rights — adding the allocated funds would strengthen online and in-person prevention by addressing early-risk factors that can lead to radicalization and violence.

DHS anticipated the next round of funding would become available in late Winter or early Spring 2022, noting, as a means of ensuring more equitable access to the grant program, CP3 would provide technical assistance to interested applicants seeking greater clarity regarding requirements for applying for federal grants.