LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan universities and colleges can apply for $500,000 in state funds to implement initiatives designed to prevent sexual assaults.

The competitive grant process opened Wednesday and closes on Oct. 1.

First Lady Sue Snyder and Michigan State Police Director Col. Kriste Etue are hoping the new grant will spark innovative initiatives to improve campus security. They say it’s important that students and school officials collaborate on new ideas.

There’s no cap on how much a public or private college can receive of the total $500,000 appropriated in the next budget year. Each school can submit up to two applications.

State officials announced the $500,000 in funding in June, when Snyder helped host the state’s first campus sexual assault prevention summit.