Model Acts Program

The Model Acts Program is a grant opportunity administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), part of the Executive Office of the President. This initiative is structured to assist states in the development, revision, and implementation of laws and policies related to illicit drug use. ONDCP plays a central role in national drug policy by coordinating efforts across federal agencies and overseeing the National Drug Control Strategy. As part of its mandate, ONDCP utilizes this program to offer expert legal and policy resources to state-level stakeholders, thereby enhancing local responses to drug-related issues. The primary objective of the Model Acts Program is to partner with a national nonprofit organization that possesses deep expertise and national reach in advising states on drug policy. The recipient organization must provide technical assistance, conduct legislative and policy analysis, and draft model legislation. In addition, the recipient must maintain a public-facing web resource that centralizes information about state-level drug statutes, associated policies, and relevant programs. This centralized tool is intended to support state governments and allied organizations in shaping effective, evidence-based laws to address the evolving challenges of illicit drug use. The total anticipated funding for this opportunity is up to $2.5 million, with only one grant expected to be awarded for a two-year performance period beginning in September 2025. There is no matching requirement for applicants, and pre-agreement costs will only be reimbursed if expressly approved in writing by ONDCP. The funding source for this opportunity is rooted in 21 U.S.C. § 1703(i) under the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, and the relevant FY 2024 and FY 2025 appropriations. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and institutions of higher education with documented experience in advising state-level legislative reform efforts on drug-related matters. Applicants must be proficient in conducting research, performing legal analyses, drafting statutes, and supporting the enactment of new or revised laws. Additionally, organizations must demonstrate capacity for stakeholder engagement and policy dissemination, including with governors, legislators, attorneys general, treatment professionals, and other community leaders. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov and require active registration with both SAM.gov and Grants.gov. Required documents include proof of nonprofit status, a 30-page maximum project narrative, an itemized budget with a narrative explanation, and standard forms such as the SF-424 and SF-LLL (for lobbying disclosures). Evaluation will be conducted based on a 100-point merit system, which includes criteria such as Statement of the Problem (10 points), Program Design and Implementation (40 points), Capabilities and Competencies (40 points), and Performance Measurement Strategy (10 points). All applications are due by August 31, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Notifications of awards will be issued through GrantSolutions, with an expected start date of September 2025. Administrative follow-ups will include performance and financial reporting, as well as compliance with federal audit and internal control standards. For additional information, applicants may contact Katherine Cooney, Attorney Advisor at ONDCP, by phone at 202-881-9491 or via email at Katherine.E.Cooney@ondcp.eop.gov.

Ensure SAM.gov and Grants.gov accounts are active before applying; avoid pre-award costs unless pre-approved.