Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA)

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Community-based Coalition Enhancement Grants to Address Local Drug Crises (CARA Local Drug Crises Grants) is a federally funded initiative administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through its National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). Originating from the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997, this grant operates in partnership with the Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The CARA Support Program specifically aims to reinforce the efforts of current or former Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program recipients by providing targeted funding to address youth substance misuse at the local level. The primary objective of the CARA grant is to prevent and reduce the use of opioids and methamphetamines, as well as the misuse of prescription drugs, among youth aged 12 to 18 across the United States. This goal aligns with broader federal initiatives to protect American youth from substance-related harm. The program supports coalitions with a demonstrated track record in community-based prevention and emphasizes localized approaches that respond to community-specific data, particularly in areas where youth substance misuse rates exceed national averages. The initiative is also intended to uphold executive policy priorities emphasizing public safety, biological integrity, and merit-based opportunity. Funding under this opportunity is allocated through grants, with an expected total program funding of $18,750,000. Approximately 50 awards are anticipated, each with an estimated maximum of $75,000. These funds are intended for enhancement activities that supplement the work of previously or currently funded DFC coalitions. Eligible uses of funds may include expanding prevention education, increasing community engagement, building coalition capacity, and other evidence-based interventions tailored to local youth populations. While no matching requirement is imposed, applicants must show statistical justification for their targeted interventions, documenting sustained elevated levels of misuse relative to national trends. Applicants must be U.S.-based, nonprofit entities or public/private institutions associated with a legally recognized nonprofit coalition that addresses youth substance misuse. Specifically, applicants must either be the coalition itself or a legal organization applying on behalf of the coalition, and must have current or former participation in the DFC Support Program. Eligible organizations include state and local governments, federally and state-recognized tribes, urban Indian organizations, higher education institutions, professional associations, voluntary and faith-based groups, and other public-serving nonprofits. Coalitions must operate within the United States or U.S. territories. Applications must be submitted electronically by April 28, 2026, no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The estimated post date is March 24, 2026, with awards anticipated by September 1, 2026, and project activities beginning on September 30, 2026. There is no pre-application gating step such as a Letter of Intent or Concept Paper. The opportunity is forecasted and not currently accepting applications, but it is expected to recur annually. Applicants should review the opportunity and prepare in advance of the March opening. Inquiries regarding the grant should be directed to Christi Jones at [email protected]. The CARA Support Program is authorized under Section 103 of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (Pub. L. No. 114-198) and is not intended to support international organizations or activities outside U.S. jurisdictions. Eligible applicants should remain attentive to evolving executive orders that may impact the scope or expectations of federally funded programs in this domain.