Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program NEW (Year 1)

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program – NEW (Year 1) is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, in collaboration with the Office of National Drug Control Policy under the Executive Office of the President. This program was established under the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 to prevent youth substance use by building and sustaining strong local coalitions. The DFC Support Program reflects a federal commitment to reducing substance use among youth by addressing local conditions and risk factors while fostering protective factors that strengthen community resilience. The purpose of the DFC Support Program is to establish and strengthen collaboration among community-based coalitions, federal, state, tribal, and local governments, as well as public and private nonprofit organizations, to reduce substance use among youth aged 18 and younger. Over time, the program also aims to decrease substance use among adults by addressing factors that increase risk while promoting those that reduce it. Coalitions receiving this grant are expected to develop comprehensive, multi-sector strategies that involve parents, schools, law enforcement, health care providers, faith-based groups, youth-serving organizations, and businesses working together for the shared goal of creating safe, healthy, and drug-free environments. The scope of funding includes new awards for coalitions that have not previously received DFC Support Program funding. Eligible applicants are community-based coalitions that must apply through a legally recognized nonprofit or government entity, such as a 501(c) nonprofit, state or local government, federally recognized tribe, state-recognized tribe, urban Indian organization, professional association, or higher education institution. Coalitions must demonstrate broad-based community representation and the capacity to engage multiple sectors in addressing youth substance use prevention. By statute, the program requires applicants to align with applicable federal Executive Orders and policies as outlined in the program notice. A total estimated program funding amount of $31,250,000 is available, with an anticipated 50 awards to be distributed. Each award has a maximum ceiling of $125,000 per year. A cost sharing or matching requirement is in place, meaning that grantees must contribute additional resources to support their coalition’s activities. The notice does not specify a set match amount, so applicants must prepare to demonstrate compliance with this requirement. Funds are intended to support coalition efforts in implementing and sustaining prevention initiatives but are not meant for unrelated expenditures or activities outside the scope of the program’s objectives. The application process is fully electronic, with submissions accepted through Grants.gov. Applications must be submitted no later than April 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The opportunity opened on September 30, 2025, and will close on April 14, 2026. There are no pre-application requirements such as Letters of Intent or concept papers noted in the funding announcement. This program is recurring and typically offered annually, with the next expected cycle beginning in September 2026. Applications must be complete and timely to be considered; late submissions will not be accepted. Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility, program alignment, coalition readiness, and the quality of proposed prevention strategies. Eligible coalitions must meet federal definitions, including having a formal community-based structure with multiple partners working collaboratively while maintaining organizational independence. Additional eligibility clarifications emphasize that applicants must be coalitions that have not previously been funded under the DFC program. For assistance, applicants can contact the program officer listed in the announcement. The grant contact for this opportunity is Christi Jones, who can be reached via email at DFC_NOFO@cdc.gov. The full funding announcement and further instructions are accessible through Grants.gov. This grant opportunity provides a significant chance for local coalitions to build capacity, strengthen partnerships, and implement community-driven solutions to prevent and reduce youth substance use across the United States and its territories.