Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program COMPETING CONTINUATION (Year 6)

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program was established by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 and is jointly managed by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). The primary goal of the DFC Support Program is to prevent and reduce youth substance use across the United States by supporting community-based coalitions. This specific opportunity is for Competing Continuation applications (Year 6), targeting previously funded coalitions that are either seeking their second five-year cycle of funding or have experienced a lapse in funding since completing the first cycle. Through this funding opportunity, community coalitions are empowered to build and sustain collaborative relationships with public and private non-profit agencies, and federal, state, local, and tribal governments. These coalitions implement strategies that address local conditions contributing to youth substance use, aiming to create safe and drug-free environments. The program supports a comprehensive public health approach rooted in evidence-based practices and strategic planning at the local level. Grantees are required to focus on both the immediate goal of youth substance use reduction and the long-term objective of reducing adult substance use in their communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and public entities such as school districts, universities, local and tribal governments, and community-based coalitions that meet specific structural requirements. The applying entity must either be a prior DFC recipient (Years 1–5), have experienced a funding gap, or be concluding the first cycle and applying for continued support. Applicants must be located within the U.S. or its territories and meet organizational criteria, including nonprofit status or being part of a legally recognized nonprofit. Coalitions must comprise multiple community sectors committed to a shared mission. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov no later than April 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. The anticipated posting date is January 27, 2026. The estimated award date is August 31, 2026, with funded projects expected to begin on September 30, 2026. The estimated total program funding is $31.25 million, with each award capped at $125,000 per year. Matching funds are required, though specific ratios are not detailed in the forecast. The application process involves standard Grants.gov submission steps and requires timely adherence to the deadlines. While the detailed application components and evaluation criteria are not listed in this forecast, previous DFC solicitations have involved detailed coalition structure documentation, community assessments, strategic plans, and budget justifications. Applicants are encouraged to ensure readiness to meet the expected requirements once the official Notice of Funding Opportunity is released. For questions or further clarification, applicants may contact Christi Jones at DFC_NOFO@cdc.gov. As this is a forecasted opportunity, updates may be posted closer to the release date. This program is expected to recur annually, with the next cycle projected to open in January 2027. This funding round reaffirms the government’s commitment to youth drug prevention and coalition-based public health strategies.