Delaware Opens $12.75 Million Opioid Settlement Grant Round for Prevention and Treatment Programs
Delaware Opioid Settlement Commission launches fourth competitive grant round with $12.75 million available for organizations addressing opioid prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support.
Delaware organizations working to combat the opioid crisis have a new opportunity to secure funding. The Delaware Opioid Settlement Commission has opened its fourth competitive grant round, making $12.75 million available for programs focused on opioid prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery support.
The commission, established to oversee the state's share of national opioid litigation settlements, is accepting applications through Wednesday, August 12, 2026. Awards will be announced following a vote scheduled for Monday, September 28.
What's Available: Three-Tier Grant System
The commission uses a tiered funding model designed to accommodate organizations of varying sizes and experience levels:
General Grants — Intended for established organizations proposing large-scale, evidence-based programs. Awards begin at $30,000, with no formal maximum. The largest individual award in previous rounds reached $1 million.
Mini Grants — Ranging from $10,000 to $30,000, these support smaller structured projects, pilot programs, outreach efforts, and supplemental activities.
Micro Grants — Up to $10,000 for small organizations, emerging groups, and short-term projects designed to create immediate local impact.
"Our priority is ensuring that settlement funds are used for responsible, sustainable and — most importantly — measurable solutions to the opioid crisis," said commission Director Brad Owens. "Measuring impact is essential, and we want to reward grantees who can show how their programs are moving the needle."
Who Can Apply
The grant round is open to Delaware-based organizations proposing programs in four priority areas:
- Prevention — Education and outreach to prevent opioid misuse
- Treatment — Clinical services and medication-assisted treatment access
- Harm Reduction — Naloxone distribution, overdose prevention, and related services
- Recovery Support — Peer support, housing assistance, and employment services
Applications will undergo a six-week review and scoring process. The commission emphasizes that applicants must demonstrate how their programs will produce measurable results.
Separate Funding for Local Governments
The community grant round operates alongside a new Local Government Grant program, created with a 2026 budget of $3.25 million. This separate initiative places settlement funds directly in the hands of Delaware counties and municipalities, allowing local leaders to determine how best to address opioid-related needs in their specific communities.
The commission notes that this approach recognizes how the effects of opioid addiction and overdose can vary significantly across different areas of the state.
Context: Delaware's Opioid Settlement Funds
Delaware is expected to receive approximately $250 million through national legal settlements with companies accused of contributing to the opioid crisis. The Opioid Settlement Commission is responsible for determining how these funds are distributed and evaluating whether funded initiatives produce measurable results.
Since 2022, the commission has awarded more than 140 grants totaling over $27 million to government agencies, healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, and community groups. The commission does not provide direct treatment services; instead, it distributes funds to qualified organizations that deliver services on the ground.
What This Means for Families
For Delaware families affected by opioid addiction, this grant round represents an opportunity for expanded services in their communities. Funded programs may include:
- Expanded access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Increased naloxone availability and overdose response training
- Peer recovery support services
- Treatment navigation and case management
- Recovery housing and employment assistance
- Prevention education in schools and communities
Families seeking treatment or support services can use the SAMHSA Treatment Locator to find providers in Delaware, regardless of whether they receive settlement funding.
How to Apply
Organizations interested in applying should visit deopioidsettlementfunds.org for application materials and guidance. The deadline for Round 4 applications is August 12, 2026.
The commission encourages organizations to review previous grant awards and consider how their proposed programs align with the state's priorities for addressing the opioid crisis through evidence-based, measurable interventions.
If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, help is available. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit findtreatment.gov to locate treatment providers in Delaware.
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