Tobacco Grant Program FY 2025-26 Request for Proposals

The Tobacco Grant Program administered by the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, is a state-funded initiative designed to support local enforcement efforts aimed at reducing the illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth. Established through Proposition 56, which increased tobacco taxes in California, the program allocates a portion of these revenues to strengthen enforcement capacity among local agencies. The program is highly competitive and emphasizes coordinated statewide efforts to address tobacco-related violations, particularly those involving youth access and illegal retail practices. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enable eligible public agencies to conduct enforcement activities such as compliance checks, retailer inspections, undercover operations, and prosecution of violations related to tobacco sales and marketing. Priority is given to projects that enhance enforcement of state tobacco laws and local ordinances, including those addressing flavored tobacco restrictions and unlicensed tobacco sellers. Allowable uses of funds include personnel costs, operational expenses directly tied to enforcement, and limited administrative costs capped at five percent of direct expenditures. Certain expenditures are explicitly prohibited, including weapons, vehicles, food, and general-purpose equipment not directly tied to enforcement activities. Funding for this program is provided on a reimbursement basis, meaning grantees must incur costs first and then submit invoices along with required documentation such as quarterly progress reports and enforcement data. The total estimated funding available for this cycle is approximately $28.5 million, with individual award amounts determined based on the scope and quality of submitted proposals. Projects may span either 24 or 36 months and must begin between November 1, 2026, and July 1, 2027, with all activities concluding no later than June 30, 2030. Eligibility is limited to California local government agencies with legal authority to enforce tobacco-related laws or ordinances. This includes police departments, sheriff’s offices, code enforcement agencies, public health departments, and prosecutorial offices such as city or district attorneys. Entities such as nonprofits, for-profit organizations, tribal agencies, and individuals are not eligible to apply directly. Existing grantees may reapply to expand or modify their current projects, provided their proposals align with the priorities outlined in the current solicitation. Applications must be submitted electronically through the designated online platform by the stated deadline. Required components include a completed proposal form, a detailed budget using the provided template, and letters of commitment if partnering agencies are involved. The application process includes multiple sections such as agency profile, project summary, problem statement, goals and objectives, personnel, and budget justification. Proposals are reviewed through a two-stage process consisting of an administrative review followed by a merits review conducted by a committee representing multiple divisions within the Department of Justice. Evaluation criteria include the significance of the problem addressed, the effectiveness of the proposed project, the qualifications of personnel, the reasonableness of the budget, and the overall capacity of the applicant agency. Final funding decisions are made by the Attorney General or a designated representative, who may adjust awards based on programmatic considerations. Key timeline milestones include an application opening date of April 20, 2026, a submission deadline of June 19, 2026, and anticipated award notifications in October or November 2026. Questions regarding the application process may be directed to the program’s official email contact

Align proposal closely with enforcement priorities such as compliance checks and inspections; ensure budget is detailed and justified; avoid including ineligible activities like education campaigns; demonstrate strong agency capacity and measurable impact