Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program - (Year 6 - FY25 Cohort)

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is a federal grant initiative created under the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), in collaboration with the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). This program is designed to strengthen collaboration and community efforts in preventing and reducing substance use among youth. The primary goals of the DFC Support Program are to enhance collaboration among community coalitions, federal, state, local, and tribal governments, as well as public and private nonprofit agencies; and to prevent youth substance use by addressing risk factors and promoting protective factors. The target population is youth under the age of 18, and the broader goal includes reducing substance use among adults over time by creating safer, healthier communities. The FY2026 cohort focuses specifically on coalitions that have previously received DFC grants (Years 1–5), those that have had a lapse in funding, or those completing their first five-year funding cycle and seeking to begin a second. Eligible applicants must be nonprofits or entities associated with established legally recognized domestic public or private nonprofit organizations. Coalitions must represent formal community collaborations while maintaining individual group identities. The anticipated funding pool for FY2026 is $50,000,000, with up to 80 awards expected. Each successful applicant may receive up to $125,000. This program includes a cost sharing or matching requirement, though specific match ratios are not detailed in the forecast. Applications must be submitted electronically by January 29, 2026, no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The estimated project start date is July 1, 2026, with awards announced around June 1, 2026. Application components and evaluation criteria have not been detailed in the forecast notice, but applicants should anticipate aligning with the current federal administration’s executive orders concerning public safety, nondiscrimination, and gender policy. Coalition applicants are expected to demonstrate alignment with the DFC’s goals and legal definitions as established in Public Law 114-198 Sec 103. For further inquiries, applicants may contact Christi Jones at DFC_NOFO@cdc.gov. The forecasted posting date is December 15, 2025. Based on historical patterns, this program is expected to recur annually.