Competitive Grant Program

The Maryland Office of Overdose Response (MOOR) has released its Competitive Grant Program to support organizations working to reduce and prevent overdose deaths across Maryland. Established to coordinate the inter-agency response to the state’s overdose crisis, MOOR aligns its funding strategy with five strategic pillars: Prevention, Drug User Health, Treatment, Recovery, and Public Safety. This grant opportunity aims to identify and support high-impact projects that address Maryland’s overdose challenges through evidence-based interventions and community-based services. The FY27 grant cycle will support programs implemented from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, with a total anticipated allocation of up to $6 million in cost-reimbursement grants. Funding under this program supports a broad range of services and initiatives, including outreach, harm reduction, treatment access, recovery support, and public safety collaborations. Projects must directly serve Maryland residents and focus on addressing the needs of people who use drugs or are at risk of overdose. Priority will be given to proposals that align with MOOR’s targeted strategies, such as reducing stigma, advancing equity, using data-informed interventions, uplifting community voices, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. Emphasis is placed on low- and no-threshold services, naloxone distribution, MOUD (medications for opioid use disorder), recovery capital, and alternative-to-incarceration programs. MOOR also encourages initiatives that address social determinants of health, trauma, and adverse childhood experiences. The grant is open to eligible “social organizations” as defined by Maryland statute, including nonprofits classified under IRS 501(c)(3), local and state government agencies, public colleges, and state universities. Recovery residences applying for funding must be MCORR-certified and must not discriminate based on a person’s use of FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder. For nonprofit applicants, documentation requirements include proof of IRS tax-exempt status, a certificate of good standing from Maryland’s SDAT dated within 90 days of application, a current IRS W-9, Form 990, and the latest financial audit. Applications must be submitted via the designated Smartsheet portal, and MOOR strictly enforces these submission protocols. Applications are due by 4:59:59 PM (local time) on March 6, 2026. A pre-application webinar will be held on January 28, 2026, to provide an overview of the grant requirements and answer questions. MOOR does not allow late or incomplete applications. Submissions must include a completed application form (Exhibit A), budget template (Exhibit B), and required supporting documentation. The budget must not exceed $500,000 per applicant. Each proposal must also contain a clear problem statement, detailed project timeline, SMART performance measures, sustainability plan, and budget justification. Where applicable, letters of recommendation or support should be included for services delivered at partner organizations. The review process involves an initial eligibility screening, followed by evaluation by an independent committee. Evaluation criteria include alignment with MOOR’s strategic priorities, applicant capacity, population focus, and completeness of application. Projects that collaborate with Maryland’s ENOUGH initiative will be reviewed for a distinct portion of the total available funding. Final award decisions are expected to be announced on May 29, 2026. Successful applicants will enter into a Standard Grant Agreement with MOOR, and all expenses must be substantiated with proof of payment. Reimbursements will be issued quarterly, and MOOR may conduct audits or request additional documentation throughout the project period. This grant program is not intended to be a continuous funding source. Therefore, applicants are expected to outline clear sustainability strategies for their programs. Reporting requirements are rigorous: quarterly invoices, performance reports, and supporting documentation are mandatory. Applicants must demonstrate measurable progress toward stated goals using performance metrics and key indicators. Additionally, MOOR retains the right to redistribute program-generated materials and may use grantee-submitted data for publication or reporting, subject to confidentiality laws.

Emphasize MOOR’s strategic priorities; use SMART metrics; demonstrate sustainability; avoid unsupported expenses or roles not directly related to the grant