National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute (NCI)

The National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute (NCI) grant opportunity, issued by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), seeks to support substance use prevention efforts nationwide. The program aims to serve as a training and technical assistance resource for community coalitions, including Drug-Free Communities (DFC) and non-DFC funded coalitions, to enhance their capacity to implement evidence-based interventions. Substance use prevention during adolescence is critical, as the age of first use is a strong predictor for developing substance use disorders later in life. Prevention strategies that delay or prevent initiation can provide long-term health and social benefits. The NCI will work to achieve two primary goals: increasing the effectiveness of community coalitions across the United States and strengthening technical assistance and training provided to these coalitions. Eligible applicants include national nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that have expertise, broad experience, and a demonstrated ability to represent and provide technical assistance to community anti-drug coalitions. The applicant must propose local, regional, and national-level implementation strategies for the NCI program while reducing burdens on the coalitions. Partnerships with external organizations are strongly encouraged, and the roles of partners must be clearly outlined in the project and budget narratives. The estimated total program funding for the NCI grant is $2,500,000, with the same amount as the maximum award ceiling. There is no minimum award floor. ONDCP anticipates issuing one award under this funding opportunity. The estimated timeline includes a post date of January 10, 2025, an application deadline of March 10, 2025, and an award date of April 10, 2025. The project is expected to start on May 10, 2025. Applications will need to outline how the NCI will implement training and technical assistance activities on a national scale to benefit community coalitions and improve prevention workforce capacity. Successful implementation will focus on the promotion of effective, evidence-based interventions to prevent youth substance use initiation and enhance coalition effectiveness. For further information, applicants may contact Helen Hernandez, Assistant Director for Drug Free Communities, at 202-395-6665.