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

The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program – NEW (Year 1) is a federally supported initiative jointly administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The program was established by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-20) to address the growing concern around youth substance use and its impact on community well-being. With oversight from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), the DFC Support Program underscores a commitment to preventive public health strategies aimed at safeguarding young individuals from substance abuse risks. The core objective of the DFC Support Program is to mobilize and strengthen collaboration across community sectors—ranging from nonprofit entities to tribal governments and educational institutions—to implement local strategies aimed at preventing and reducing substance use among youth under the age of 18. Over time, these efforts are also expected to yield reductions in adult substance abuse by addressing root causes and promoting protective factors within the community. To this end, the DFC program encourages inclusive partnerships and fosters a sense of shared accountability and community resilience. Funding under this program is projected to reach a total of $31,250,000 for Fiscal Year 2026, with approximately 50 awards anticipated. Each successful applicant may receive up to $125,000, although no minimum award amount is explicitly specified. Importantly, the grant includes a cost-sharing requirement, which reflects the federal government's intent to promote sustained, community-level investment in youth drug prevention. The funds must be used to establish or expand coalition-led, data-driven prevention strategies within the applicant’s geographic area. Eligible applicants include a broad spectrum of entities such as nonprofit organizations (including those with or without 501(c)(3) status), tribal organizations (both federally and state-recognized), independent school districts, local and state governments, and institutions of higher education. Applicants must be based in the United States or U.S. territories and must not have previously received a DFC grant. Furthermore, the applying entity must represent or be associated with a legally recognized community coalition, which is defined as a formal collaborative arrangement among diverse community groups committed to building a drug-free environment. The anticipated application window is from January 27, 2026, through April 14, 2026, with all electronic submissions due by 11:59 PM ET on the closing date. Award announcements are expected by August 31, 2026, with funded projects beginning on September 30, 2026. No pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers are required. However, applicants are encouraged to carefully review applicable Executive Orders referenced in the solicitation, including those pertaining to public safety, biological policy, merit-based opportunity, and protection from ideological extremism. For questions or assistance, prospective applicants may contact Christi Jones via email at DFC_NOFO@cdc.gov. Additional application materials and future updates will be made available on Grants.gov. The DFC Support Program is issued annually, making it a recurring funding opportunity, and entities interested in future rounds should monitor the site for updates around fall 2026, aligning with the typical program cycle.