Opioid Restitution Fund Grant

The Opioid Restitution Fund Grant Program is administered by Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response, a state entity responsible for coordinating statewide strategies to address substance use and overdose. The office works across agencies to implement prevention, treatment, recovery, public safety, and harm reduction initiatives aligned with Maryland’s broader overdose response strategy. This funding opportunity is part of the state’s effort to deploy opioid settlement funds in a way that addresses the most pressing gaps in services and supports communities disproportionately impacted by the opioid crisis. The primary purpose of the program is to fund projects that directly address opioid use disorder, co occurring substance use disorders, and overdose risk. Funding is intended to support evidence based and community driven interventions that align with approved opioid remediation uses defined in national settlement agreements. The program prioritizes services for high risk populations, including older Black residents, Hispanic youth, LGBTQ plus individuals, pregnant and parenting people, and individuals transitioning from the criminal justice system. Projects must demonstrate how they fill unmet needs and contribute to reducing overdose related harm. Funding is provided as a cost reimbursement grant and supports a wide range of allowable activities. These include treatment services, recovery support services, family support programs, harm reduction initiatives, and services that address social determinants of recovery such as housing, transportation, childcare, and employment readiness. Funds may only be used for opioid remediation purposes and must comply with strict allowable use categories outlined in settlement agreements. Applicants are required to demonstrate that free or alternative resources have been exhausted before using grant funds. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and certain government entities. Nonprofits must be tax exempt under federal law and generally must not provide billable services unless they are targeting disproportionately impacted populations. Government applicants must be local jurisdictions that are not already receiving opioid settlement funds. All applicants must meet administrative and compliance requirements, including proof of good standing, financial documentation, and adherence to state regulations. Additional requirements apply for specialized services such as recovery housing and subcontracting arrangements. The application process requires submission through an online Smartsheet portal and includes a detailed application form, budget template, organizational documentation, and supporting materials such as references and certifications. Applicants must clearly define project goals, performance metrics, timelines, and budget justifications. Evaluation criteria focus on alignment with opioid remediation priorities, demonstrated need, organizational capacity, and the feasibility and impact of the proposed project. Applications are reviewed through a multi stage process culminating in final approval by the Special Secretary of Overdose Response. Key dates for the program include an application release in mid July 2026 and a submission deadline in mid September 2026. A pre application webinar and optional office hours sessions are offered to support applicants in understanding requirements and preparing submissions. Award decisions are expected in late November 2026, with funded projects beginning January 1 2027 and continuing for up to two years through the end of 2028. The program is structured as a competitive grant with funding distributed based on scoring and alignment with statewide priorities. Applicants are encouraged to contact the program via the designated grants email for questions and clarifications. The program emphasizes accountability through quarterly reporting, documentation requirements, and performance tracking. Overall, this grant represents a significant investment in addressing the opioid crisis through targeted, evidence based, and community informed interventions across Maryland.

Align proposal clearly with opioid remediation categories; demonstrate measurable outcomes; show strong community need and capacity; ensure budget justification is detailed and compliant