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

The Drug-Free Communities Support Program – Competing Continuation (Year 6) is a federal grant opportunity administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), in partnership with the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). This funding initiative is designed to reinforce community-based coalitions that have previously completed a five-year funding cycle or experienced a lapse in funding, and are now eligible to apply for a second five-year cycle. The core mission of this program is to reduce and prevent youth substance use by strengthening collaboration across community sectors and implementing evidence-based prevention strategies. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), identified as CDC-RFA-CE21-210206CONT26, is structured to support up to 50 coalitions across the United States and its territories. It provides up to $125,000 annually per awardee for a five-year period of performance, resulting in a total anticipated program funding of $31,250,000. Funding is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of appropriations, and compliance with statutory requirements. The award supports projects that address at least two substances and utilize comprehensive, multi-sectoral approaches to prevention, with strong alignment to ONDCP and CDC public health priorities. Eligible applicants must be community-based coalitions that include representatives from 12 required sectors and demonstrate a collaborative history of at least six months addressing youth substance use. Applicants must be either a 501(c)(3) organization or have a fiscal sponsor that is eligible to receive federal funds. To qualify, coalitions must not have received more than ten years of DFC funding and must participate in the national cross-site evaluation. A strict 100% match requirement is imposed, which increases in later years (e.g., 125% in years 7–8, and 150% in years 9–10). Matching contributions can be in cash or in-kind, including goods and services, volunteer hours, or use of opioid settlement funds, but not from other federal sources. Applications are due by 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, and must be submitted through Grants.gov. No pre-application materials such as Letters of Intent are required, though applicants are encouraged to attend the informational webinar scheduled for March 19, 2026. Required components include a project narrative, a 12-month action plan, evaluation and performance measurement plans, sector representation documentation, and proof of eligibility, including IRS or fiscal sponsor documentation. Applicants must also provide data on community needs, demonstrate the capacity to manage federal funds, and outline how the proposed strategies will meet the DFC program’s two primary goals. Funded projects must focus exclusively on reducing youth substance use and are not permitted to support harm reduction services, youth sports, research, or certain law enforcement expenses. Allowable uses of funds must align with federal regulations and cannot supplant existing funding. Funded coalitions are required to conduct biannual data collection on core indicators and submit annual reports on community engagement, risk and protective factors, and programmatic progress. A data management plan and detailed financial reports are also mandatory components of ongoing compliance. Evaluation criteria prioritize clear articulation of local substance use problems, SMART objectives, alignment with DFC strategies, and a robust work plan for the year ahead. Proposals will be merit-reviewed and ranked based on a 100-point scale, with tie-breaks favoring coalitions serving rural, tribal, or economically disadvantaged communities. Successful applicants will be notified before the award start date of September 30, 2026, and must attend a virtual training hosted by ONDCP and CDC. The Notice of Award will serve as the official funding document and outline terms, expectations, and reporting requirements.

Emphasize SMART objectives, logic model alignment, coalition sector compliance, and community-specific data use.