The 2026 Drako Smart Video Security Grant for Schools will make it possible for U.S. educational settings to fund measures such as AI-based gun detection and secure camera-sharing systems. Awardees may receive up to one year of financing for Eagle Eye’s Cloud Video Management System and associated components. The package features cutting-edge security cameras, AI-driven analytics to catch anomalies, emergency video feeds, cloud retention, vape-detection sensors, centralized controls and automation options that help campuses address safety concerns and streamline daily operations.
“We are on a mission at Eagle Eye to help schools change the way they use security cameras,” said Dean Drako, CEO of Eagle Eye. Recipients can apply the grant toward Eagle Eye AI Gun Detection, a feature that binds with current cameras to identify brandished firearms in real time and launch alerts that help campus teams respond faster to a threat. The underlying Triple-layer Verification method runs two AI passes plus a human review, minimizing false alarms on brandished weapons.
The program’s design offers long-term flexibility. Schools can integrate their existing on-site surveillance into the Eagle Eye Cloud VMS, bypassing the immediate need for a full hardware replacement. Districts that prefer a ground-up deployment can install Eagle Eye cameras, sensors and AI modules across buildings and open spaces, then expand the system over time based on evolving budgets and site requirements.
Eagle Eye Networks has protected thousands of campuses and university facilities in dozens of countries. Its cloud-native architecture and API-first design have made it a go-to platform for organizations seeking a unified approach to video security at scale.
Key advantages include:
- Camera-agnostic design matches almost any brand, allowing schools to upgrade their current system with cloud storage and AI analytics.
- AI Gun Detection adds a proactive layer to standard cameras via a triple-check routine—two AI evaluations plus human confirmation.
- Live alerts across desktop and mobile deliver real-time threat data, improving administrators’ understanding of unfolding situations.
- 911 Camera Sharing routes approved feeds automatically to emergency dispatch centers, giving first responders live scenes during a crisis.
- Built-in security features use bank-grade encryption, camera lockdown options, multiple redundancies and strong privacy controls.
- A full ecosystem includes vape detection sensors, license plate recognition, remote or hardwired cabinet mounts, door access integration and support for unlimited third-party devices.
2026 is the third cycle of Drako Smart Video Security Grants for Schools. More than $2 million has reached U.S. campuses through earlier rounds. Applications open today; they will be processed continuously until available funding is allocated.
