OJJDP FY25 Opioid Affected Youth Initiative

The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), a component of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, is offering funding under its Opioid Affected Youth Initiative. This initiative is designed to support state, local, and Tribal jurisdictions in addressing the impact of opioid, stimulant, and other substance use disorders on children, youth, and families. The OJJDP has a broad mission to uphold the rule of law, ensure public safety, and protect civil rights, and this grant aligns with that mission by targeting one of the most pressing public safety and public health issues: substance use and its impact on vulnerable populations, especially young people. The grant aims to fund programs and strategies that provide prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery services for affected populations. Projects must specifically identify and respond to the needs of youth and families exposed to substance use disorders. Applicants are expected to establish partnerships with key stakeholders, including law enforcement, juvenile justice systems, mental health service providers, child welfare agencies, schools, and community-based organizations. The emphasis is on comprehensive, coordinated services that provide support across multiple systems involved with children and families experiencing the effects of substance use. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who can demonstrate efforts that support public safety by addressing drug-related crime and social disorder. This includes jurisdictions that actively enforce laws against open drug use, urban camping, squatting, and those that have programs for individuals with serious mental illness or substance use disorders who are at risk to themselves or others. State applicants may also receive priority if they comply with the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, especially in managing cases involving homeless sex offenders. These criteria are intended to strengthen the community and public health response through targeted enforcement and treatment. There are clear restrictions on how funds may be used. The grant prohibits the support of activities that violate federal immigration law or federal civil rights statutes. Legal services for non-citizens who are not lawfully present are also disallowed, with the exception of services related to protection orders or those explicitly authorized by law. These restrictions are in place to ensure that federal funds are used in compliance with U.S. law and policy. Applications must be submitted through a two-step process. First, applicants must submit the SF-424 form via Grants.gov by May 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Then, the full application package must be submitted through JustGrants by May 11, 2026, at 8:59 p.m. ET. Required documents include a proposal abstract, a detailed proposal narrative, a budget using the JustGrants budget form, disclosures regarding lobbying, duplication of cost items, assurances, and any applicable attachments such as resumes, tribal resolutions, and indirect cost rate agreements. Projects must include a timeline of activities and may request stipends or food costs under specific, justified circumstances. The total available funding for this opportunity is $8,960,000. Approximately 12 awards are expected to be made, with each award capped at $750,000. The anticipated start date for awards is June 1, 2026, and each project will have a 36-month performance period. This is a recurring funding opportunity, and although deadlines apply for each cycle, future funding may be available contingent upon program performance and appropriations. Recipients will be required to submit quarterly financial reports, semi-annual performance reports, and a final close-out report. No deliverables beyond reporting are required during the performance period.

Start early on registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov; submit 48 hours before deadlines; include timeline and detailed budget narrative