Could public sector grant funding unlock your dream project sooner?

You’re a K-12 district that dreams of upgrading its cybersecurity infrastructure to better protect student data. Or maybe you’re a rural healthcare provider that wants to expand telehealth capabilities and modernize patient care technology. Or perhaps your state agency needs to implement AI governance frameworks while working within tightening budgets. Higher education institutions are increasingly incorporating AI into their research projects. 

In an ideal world, you’d have the money to make these projects a reality. In the real world, that’s not always possible. 

Often, public sector organizations are forced to put their dream projects on hold — or scrap them entirely — because they lack proper funding or resources to get the initiative off the ground. But it doesn’t have to be this way — not when there might be a grant for that.

The 2026 grant landscape and major shifts in funding priorities 

Federal grant funding has undergone major restructuring recently. The One Big Beautiful Bill ended nearly $30 billion in existing grant programs while authorizing approximately $124 billion in new funding focused on national security, rural health, workforce development, and agricultural innovation. 

Between October 2024 and July 2025, federal grant calls dropped 28.3%, while available funding was reduced nearly in half. Over 15,000 existing federal grant awards worth $112.51 billion have been canceled. 

But it’s not all bad news. Significant new funding streams have opened in priority areas. Rural healthcare providers can access the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program, which provides $10 billion annually through 2030 to all 50 states, with first-year awards averaging $200 million per state. Law enforcement and public safety agencies have $34 billion in new funding available for defense, border security, and cybersecurity technology. Schools and workforce training providers can leverage $13.4 billion, including expanded Pell Grants now available for short-term job training programs. And organizations focused on rural development have access to $24.7 billion for conservation, research, and rural infrastructure. 

What kinds of projects might be funded by grants?  

The key to success in 2026 is knowing where to look and how to position your technology projects around current funding priorities, whether federal, state, local, or foundation grants.  

A rural health clinic could secure funding to deploy remote patient monitoring systems. A school district might apply for grants to fund cybersecurity infrastructure upgrades. A law enforcement agency could fund body camera systems and data analytics platforms. Countless technology solutions are available to public sector organizations to enable them to better meet their missions.  

But we also understand it’s not that simple. Just because there are thousands of grants available, that doesn’t mean you’re going to snap your fingers and the money will automatically appear. And with increased competition due to program eliminations and funding cuts, organizations need expert guidance more than ever. It takes time and energy to sift through these programs to see if you even qualify. And even if you do qualify, you need to expend even more resources applying for the grant. 

But these factors shouldn’t deter you from pursuing the grants avenue, especially if there’s a solution. 

A powerful grants partnership 

The SHI Grants Support Program provides public sector organizations with complimentary services, including customized funding reports tailored to your technology needs, location, and eligibility, expert consultation calls, resources to help you understand which opportunities align with your goals, and support throughout the grant application process. Whether you need hardware, software, cybersecurity solutions, cloud infrastructure, networking equipment, AI solutions, or professional training, our team helps you identify the right funding sources. 

SHI has partnered with Grants Office, a national grants development services firm with a 20-year track record of helping public sector agencies find and secure funding for technology projects. Our joint goal is to make the process of identifying and organizing potential grants as seamless as possible for your public sector institution. 

Organizations that can take advantage of this partnership include: 

• State and local governments 

• Law enforcement and public safety entities 

• K-12 schools and districts 

• Higher education institutions 

• Nonprofit organizations, such as hospitals 

• Healthcare organizations 

Make your technology dreams a reality 

Financing your dream technology initiatives is expensive. But that doesn’t make it impossible. 

This funding can dramatically increase your capacity to leverage technology, advance your mission, and impact your community. The SHI Grants Support Program, in partnership with the Grants Office, can help you identify and secure funding for your technology projects — and turn your technology dreams into a reality. 

NEXT STEPS

To learn more about the SHI Grants Support Program, contact your SHI account executive or grants@shi.com. Alternatively, you can visit shi.com/grants and fill out the information form to receive a customized report of funding opportunities for your organization.