DHS Awards Grants to Counter Terrorist Recruitment and Radicalization in U.S.

Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the award recipients for the congressionally established Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Grant Program. These grants support community-led initiatives across the country to combat all forms of violent extremism, including the rising threat from Islamist terrorism.

"We are witnessing a global surge in terrorist activity, and in many ways our own backyard has become the battleground," said Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly. "That is why DHS is focused on stepping up efforts to counter terrorist recruitment and radicalization, including through close collaboration with state and local partners. Shortly after starting at DHS, I requested a thorough policy review of the CVE Grant Program to ensure taxpayer dollars go to programs with the highest likelihood of success, that support the men and women on the front lines of this fight, and that can be self-sustaining into the future. We will closely monitor these efforts to identify and amplify promising approaches to prevent terrorism."

DHS awarded $10 million to 26 local law enforcement and community organizations. A list of the grant recipients can be found here: https://www.dhs.gov/cvegrants

The Department's efforts to partner with communities are a part of its terrorism prevention mission. These grants will help communities identify and counter terrorist recruitment and radicalization, including deterring individuals before they engage in criminal behavior or terrorist plotting. Among other activities, these DHS investments will help foster counter narratives to push back against terrorist messaging and will assist local law enforcement in building the trust needed to intervene in time to keep young people from going down the path toward violence.

The grant program was created by Congress in December 2015, and it will be executed by the DHS Office for Community Partnerships, in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which will ensure the public funds are used appropriately.

For more information on the CVE Grant Program, visit https://www.dhs.gov/countering-violent-extremism .