The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program: NEW (Year 1), announced under funding opportunity number CDC-RFA-CE-25-0114, is a federal grant program administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through its National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). The program aims to support community coalitions that are working to prevent and reduce youth substance use. With a deadline for application submissions set at May 5, 2025, and an anticipated project start date of September 30, 2025, the program offers funding for coalitions that have not previously received a DFC grant.

The primary purpose of this funding initiative is to strengthen collaboration among local communities and various governmental and non-governmental organizations in order to reduce substance use among individuals aged 18 and under. The program is structured to not only support existing coalition efforts but to expand and solidify multisector partnerships that address risk and protective factors associated with youth substance use. In the long term, it also aims to reduce adult substance use through these preventive community efforts.

Funding is available for up to $125,000 per year, over a period of five years, totaling a possible $625,000 per awarded coalition. The total funding for the entire program is $31,250,000 with an estimated 50 awards anticipated. The award requires a one-to-one non-federal match, which may include in-kind contributions or cash. Special conditions apply for the use of opioid settlement funds and there are strict restrictions on unallowable expenses, such as the purchase of equipment, law enforcement tools, or stipends for youth sports programs.

Eligibility is limited to community coalitions that are based in the United States or its territories and meet a comprehensive set of statutory requirements. These include having a formal partnership structure representing 12 specified community sectors, a mission centered on youth substance use prevention, documented operational history of at least six months, and a focus on at least two different substances. Applicants must not have previously received more than 10 years of DFC funding and must submit detailed proof of eligibility and documentation, including meeting minutes, sector representation tables, and a Memorandum of Understanding if working with a fiscal agent.

Applicants are required to submit a detailed project narrative, evaluation and performance measurement plans, and a 12-month action plan identifying strategies to address at least two substances using the CDC's Seven Strategies for Community-Level Change. Evaluation will focus on participation in the DFC National Cross-Site Evaluation, data collection from school-age populations in at least three grade levels, and annual reporting on implementation and outcomes.

Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by the deadline, and applicants are strongly encouraged to join a voluntary informational webinar scheduled for March 26, 2025. Reviews will be conducted by CDC and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, with awards prioritized for proposals that target rural, tribal, or economically disadvantaged communities in the case of scoring ties. All recipients are required to participate in post-award training and reporting, including the National Coalition Academy and the development of a sustainability plan by Year 3.