Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA)
🏛 Centers for Disease Control - NCIPC
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations addressing substance use disorders and addiction recovery. Eligible applicants include state health departments, local health agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Priority may be given to programs in rural or underserved areas. Funding supports implementation of evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery support services aligned with public health approaches to addiction.
This grant is for organizations addressing substance use disorders and addiction recovery. Eligible applicants include state health departments, local health agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Priority may be given to programs in rural or underserved areas. Funding supports implementation of evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery support services aligned with public health approaches to addiction.
Program description
The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program was created by the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-20). The Executive Office of the President, Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC) are accepting applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Community-based Coalition Enhancement Grants to Address Local Drug Crises Grants (CARA Local Drug Crises Grants) as an enhancement to current or formerly funded Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program recipients. The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce the use of opioids and methamphetamines and the misuse of prescription drugs among youth ages 12-18 in communities throughout the United States.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Community Health Center
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations addressing substance use disorders and addiction recovery. Eligible applicants include state health departments, local health agencies, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Priority may be given to programs in rural or underserved areas. Funding supports implementation of evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery support services aligned with public health approaches to addiction.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 Application Form
- Project Narrative (Program Description)
- Budget Narrative and Budget Detail
- Organizational Capability Statement
- Letters of Support/Partnership Agreements
- Data tables showing baseline substance use epidemiology
Program contact
- 👤 Cristin Gibboney Grantor
- 📧 CARA_NOFO@cdc.gov
- 📞 1234567890
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.799 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$250,000
-
$250,000
-
$250,000
-
$250,000
-
$250,000
-
$250,000
-
$250,000
-
$250,000
-
$250,000
-
$250,000
Top States by Funding
- NJ 4 awards $1.0M
- GA 4 awards $1.0M
- TX 4 awards $0.8M
- CT 3 awards $0.8M
- IA 3 awards $0.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.799). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,199,404 | |
| 2025 | $3,199,404 | |
| 2026 est. | $3,200,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for CARA funding?
State and local health departments, academic institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits are typically eligible. Tribal organizations may also qualify.
What activities does CARA fund?
Projects focus on substance use prevention, treatment expansion, recovery support services, and data collection. Workforce training and naloxone distribution are common.
When are applications due?
The deadline is June 8, 2026. Applications open May 6, 2026. Plan to submit at least 2 weeks early.
How competitive is this funding?
CDC grants are highly competitive. Strong applicants demonstrate partnerships, baseline data, and realistic implementation timelines. Alignment with state health priorities helps.
What is the typical funding range?
CARA grants often range from $100,000 to $500,000+ annually depending on scope. Multi-year awards are common for this program type.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Build partnerships with local health departments, treatment providers, and community organizations before applying. Coordination strengthens competitiveness significantly.
- Use current epidemiologic data on substance use in your geographic area. Show you understand the problem you're addressing.
- Develop a realistic implementation timeline with clear milestones. Overpromising scope leads to rejections.
- Demonstrate how your project aligns with state opioid response plans or existing public health initiatives. Cross-system coordination matters.
- Budget conservatively and justify all costs with evidence. CDC reviewers scrutinize budgets closely.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants underestimate the time needed to build treatment infrastructure and show measurable outcomes within the grant period. Many proposals lack strong data or partnerships to demonstrate feasibility. Misalignment with state health priorities or lack of sustainability planning beyond the grant period often result in rejection.
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