HARRISBURG, PA — The Shapiro-Davis Administration has announced on June 23rd, a $1 million grant initiative aimed at reducing firearm suicides across Pennsylvania, which remain the leading cause of gun deaths in the state.
The funds come from the federal Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) and will support both statewide and local efforts to prevent, respond to, and recover from firearm-related suicides. The initiative is led by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD).
“Firearm suicide is an urgent and rising public health issue across our Commonwealth, particularly affecting youth, Black Pennsylvanians, and rural communities,” said PCCD Executive Director Kirsten Kenyon. “This new funding is a strategic investment in targeted, community-based solutions that we know can save lives.”
While firearm-related homicides have declined statewide since 2023, firearm suicide rates in Pennsylvania remain high and have continued to increase in recent years. In 2022, over half (55%) of all gun deaths in Pennsylvania were suicides, highlighting a public health crisis and a growing concern.
The funding will be split into two grant tracks. Regional/Statewide Projects will receive up to $500,000 for efforts spanning three or more counties or with a statewide reach. And Local Projects will receive up to $150,000 for targeted community-level initiatives.
The following are the key dates provided by the Administratión: June 23, 2025, application opens in Egrants. July 21, informational webinar for potential applicants. September 9, application deadline. December 10, grant awards announced. January 1, 2026: Project start date.
Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, colleges and universities, and state agencies. Priority will be given to programs in rural areas and communities with suicide rates above the state average.
The grants, as announced in the FY 2024 Byrne SCIP Firearm Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Initiative, will put up a range of strategies to prevent firearm suicides and support the most impacted communities, and will include interventions, such as public awareness campaigns, safer firearm storage programs, suicide intervention and postvention services, and improvements in data collection and sharing.
To learn more or register for the July 21 webinar, visit PCCD’s Active Funding Announcement webpage or email RA-PCCD-OCJSI@pa.gov with “SCIP Suicide Pre, Inter, and Postvention Initiative” in the subject line.
