DC Engage Capacity Building Microgrants Call for Application
2026–2027 Funding Cycle
Description of Funding Opportunity
DC Engage is a program administered by HealthHIV and is funded wholly or in part by the Government of the District of Columbia, Department of Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and TB Administration (HAHSTA). The program is designed to strengthen the capacity of aspiring or established community based organizations and people with lived experience coalitions to integrate equal access, evidence-based, and promising practice models into their programming, while supporting planning for sustainability so that initiatives extend beyond the award period.
DC Engage is seeking DC-based organizations to apply for two microgrants to strengthen coordinated care for people experiencing substance use and related health needs. One microgrant will support an obstetric (OB) clinic serving pregnant patients with substance use diagnoses. The second will support a behavioral health organization working at the intersection of SUD, mental health, and criminal justice involvement to build stronger connections to DC Health and to community-based overdose prevention services.
Awardees will work with the DC Health Maternal Health Community Health Worker, Street Medicine Team, and other DC Engage referral partners to strengthen connections between individuals and community-based services. The selected organization will work at the intersection of substance use disorder, mental health, and criminal justice involvement to integrate DC Health into reentry, diversion, and community supervision workflows and support continuity of care as individuals’ needs change, including during pregnancy, after delivery, following an emergency department visit, and through street-based outreach.
Program Structure & Funding
Two (2) $20,000 awards will be available for DC-based organizations that provide services to people who use drugs. Grantees must use awarded funds during the funding period to implement their initiative.
Application Period: October 16, 2026 – November 6, 2026 @ 3:00 PM
Funding Period: November 1, 2026 – July 31, 2027
Organizational Eligibility
Eligible organizations must be located in Washington, DC, or provide direct services to Washington, DC residents, with priority given to organizations serving residents in Wards 5, 6, 7, and 8.
Join us for a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Session on October 22 at 11:00 AM ET. This session offers an opportunity to ask questions and get clarification before submitting your application.
Register NowMicrogrant 1: Integrated Care for Pregnant Patients
DC Engage seeks an OB, maternal-fetal medicine, or community-based maternal health provider to strengthen identification, referral, and ongoing support for pregnant and postpartum individuals with OUD, co-occurring substance use and mental health needs, or overdose risk. The selected organization will integrate DC Engage into prenatal and postpartum workflows and connect patients to MOUD, substance use treatment, behavioral health, overdose prevention, and other supportive services.
Proposals should describe how the organization will identify patient needs, coordinate warm referrals with the DC Health Maternal Health Community Health Worker, DC Health Street Medicine Team, and other DC Engage partners, and support continuity of care throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Eligible applicants may include:
- OB/GYN, maternal-fetal medicine, or maternal health providers serving pregnant and postpartum individuals with OUD, SUD, or overdose risk.
- Community-based maternal health and home visiting programs supporting pregnant and postpartum individuals facing barriers to care.
- Federally qualified health centers or community health clinics providing prenatal, postpartum, behavioral health, or substance use services.
- Organizations with established partnerships that connect pregnant and postpartum individuals to DC Health Maternal Health Community Health Worker, DC Health Street Medicine Team, MOUD, substance use treatment, behavioral health, overdose prevention, health care, and supportive services.
Microgrant 2: Co-Occurring Disorders / Justice-Involved Behavioral Health
DC Engage seeks a behavioral health provider to strengthen access to substance use disorder, mental health, and overdose prevention services for adults with co-occurring disorders who have current or recent criminal justice involvement. Services should be available to people referred through reentry, diversion, community supervision, DC Drug Court, and other justice-involved programs, including individuals transitioning from incarceration or detention.
Proposals should describe a practical referral and warm-handoff process, how the provider will deploy peer navigators to support and engage individuals who face barriers to care during the critical 30-90 day post-release period, and how it will coordinate with DC health and justice-system partners to support continuity of care, overdose prevention, and connection to community-based services.
Eligible applicants may include:
- Behavioral health providers serving adults with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.
- Organizations providing behavioral health, substance use, reentry, diversion, or supportive services to justice-involved individuals.
- Community-based organizations providing outreach, peer support, navigation, or care coordination to underserved populations.
- Organizations with established partnerships with DC Drug Court, diversion programs, reentry programs, CSOSA, parole, detention facilities, or other justice-involved service systems.
- Organizations with established referral networks connecting individuals to overdose prevention, substance use treatment, mental health, health care, housing, and other supportive services.
Expectations for Awardees
Applicants should demonstrate how their proposed work will contribute to a coordinated network of care. Each selected organization will be expected to:
- Identify a staff contact responsible for partner coordination and referrals.
- Establish a clear process for receiving, making, and following up on referrals.
- Participate in regular coordination meetings with DC Engage and relevant partners.
- Track measurable activities and outcomes, including referrals made, services accessed, and barriers identified.
- Share lessons learned that can strengthen coordination across the network.
- Submit required monthly progress reports and invoices.
Number and Amount of Awards
Up to two (2) organizations will be selected to receive awards of $20,000 each, for a total of $40,000 in available funding. The maximum award amount is $20,000 per organization.
Evaluation of Applications
Applications will be evaluated with the following criteria:
- Organizational Capacity: organizational experience relevant to the intended funded categories.
- Human Resources: identifies qualified staff or volunteers to implement proposed activities.
- Fiscal Management: demonstrates capacity to manage grant funds responsibly.
- Program Description: provides a clear, detailed description of proposed activities.
- Measurable Objectives: provides at least three SMART objectives.
- Proposed Community Impact: describes expected outcomes for the community or population of focus.
- Sustainability: outlines how project outcomes or activities will continue when grant funds end.
Monthly Reporting & Evaluation of Awardees
- Grantees will submit monthly reports detailing activities, successes, barriers, and photos.
- Midpoint and final milestone reports will provide narrative updates on program progress and lessons learned.
- Field observations may be conducted to highlight best practices and provide targeted TA.
Awardees will be required to:
- Attend a mandatory orientation hosted by HealthHIV.
- Complete a needs assessment within 30 days of award and submit a program work plan including sustainability strategies.
- Propose activities with measurable objectives that broaden outreach and impact, and engage multiple high-need populations.
- Attend regularly scheduled technical assistance meetings and/or peer learning sessions.
- Submit monthly invoices with itemized receipts and monthly progress reports.
- Participate in the Annual DC Engage Drug User Health Conference and/or end-of-year grantee showcase.
- Promote DC Engage and Drug User Health Learning Institute opportunities.
- Submit an IRS W-9 form and the most recent financial audit if receiving more than $750,000 in federal funds annually.
Questions about this funding opportunity?
Please email Sindia De La Cruz, Capacity Building Assistance Manager, [email protected]
