The Department of Justice (DOJ) just announced the Model Cities Initiative (MCI), directing nearly $300 million in federal funding to transform public safety in two to four cities across the country. With proposals due September 1, 2026, and award decisions expected before year’s end, the window to act is open now. For cities serious about building a safer, better-trained law enforcement workforce, this is a funding opportunity worth their attention.

 

What the Model Cities Initiative Is

The MCI takes what the DOJ calls a “whole-of-city” approach, meaning city leaders (mayors, sheriffs, county prosecutors, and others) must collaborate to submit a single unified application with a comprehensive public safety vision. Funding can go toward a wide range of activities, including retaining sworn officers, purchasing technology and equipment, supporting mental health services, and investing in training and professional development.

Any city or local government entity serving a population of at least 100,000 is eligible to apply, and the initiative is explicitly designed to generate replicable models. Cities that receive awards will be demonstrating what works for the rest of the country.

 

Evidence-Based Training Supports MCI Goals

Among the MCI’s allowable expenditures, training and professional development stand out as one of the most impactful investments a city can make. The DOJ specifically calls for funding that supports intelligence-led policing, violent crime investigations, and crisis response. These are all areas where exceptional training will enhance officer preparation and decision-making.

MILO has been a trusted training partner for law enforcement agencies in thousands of eligible cities in the United States since 1994, offering a full continuum of Live, Virtual, and Cognitive training solutions. For cities crafting an MCI proposal, MILO’s systems are well-positioned to support multiple allowable funding categories at once.

MILO Virtual’s scenario-based simulation training places officers in immersive, high-definition video scenarios requiring them to make real-time use-of-force decisions, practice de-escalation, and develop situational awareness. Rather than static target practice, these branching decision-tree scenarios mirror the complexity of real-world encounters, from active shooter situations to crisis intervention and in-custody interactions. For cities looking to demonstrate measurable improvements in officer readiness, simulation-based training offers exactly the kind of trackable, evidence-based results the DOJ is looking for.

MILO Cognitive adds a layer of science-backed curriculum and advanced learning solutions, including curriculum developed by Washington State University’s SHOT Laboratory. This directly supports the MCI’s emphasis on accountability and measurable outcomes.

MILO Live rounds out the picture with state-of-the-art shooting range design and live-fire training systems, allowing agencies to build or upgrade physical training infrastructure—another allowable MCI expenditure.

 

Building a Compelling Application

A strong MCI application requires a persuasive, cohesive vision of how federal resources will be deployed strategically across the city to reduce crime, strengthen accountability, and produce outcomes that can serve as a national model.

If your city is beginning to put together its MCI application, incorporating a comprehensive officer training strategy supported by proven simulation and cognitive training technology can strengthen the case that your city is ready to deliver measurable results.

Proposals are due September 1, 2026, with initial award decisions expected in late 2026. Additional details are available at www.justice.gov/grants.

To learn more about how MILO’s training solutions can support your city’s MCI strategy, visit milorange.com or contact the MILO team at 800-344-1707.