Overview
The Division of Care and Treatment Services is seeking applications for funding to provide statewide and Wisconsin-specific alcohol prevention and policy education, training, and technical assistance. This includes providing education and information on alcohol-related trends, gaps, and opportunities and providing guidance and implementation of evidence-based and environmental strategies and policies to prevent and reduce underage drinking, alcohol misuse, and binge drinking.
Program requirements
The intention of the Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project is to provide training, tools, and technical assistance to municipalities, law enforcement, public health, and community coalitions working to improve the alcohol environment and reduce alcohol-related problems. The geographical area and population of focus is the state of Wisconsin.
Resources
The following dashboards, reports, and webpages may be useful resources in preparing applications:
- Substance Use: Statistics (DHS)
- Substance Abuse Prevention Services Information System (SAP-SIS) (DHS)
- Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey (Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction)
- Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Understanding the Problem of Excessive Alcohol Use (Medical College of Wisconsin)
- National Survey on Drug Use and Health State Data Releases (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
- Prevention of Substance Use (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)
Eligible applicants
- Federally recognized Tribal nation that shares boundaries with Wisconsin OR
- Nonprofit organization located in and providing services to people in Wisconsin OR
- Public agency in Wisconsin
If a subcontractor is included in the application plan, a letter of commitment from the subcontractor is required.
Eligibility requirements are mandatory as of the date the applicant applies.
Application deadline
June 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Estimated number of awards
1
Estimated award amount(s)
$348,026 per year
Total funding available
$1,740,130
Anticipated length of funding opportunity
5 years
Anticipated contract dates
October 1, 2026 – September 31, 2027
October 1, 2027 – September 31, 2028
October 1, 2028 – September 31, 2029
October 1, 2029 – September 31, 2030
October 1, 2030 – September 31, 2031Renewal of the contract each year will be based upon the awardee’s satisfactory performance, satisfactory completion of annual deliverables and grant expectations, audit findings, and the availability of funds.
Match requirement
None
Funding source
Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant
Written questions due
May 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Submit written questions about this funding opportunity to DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov with the subject line Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project.
Answers posted
June 2, 2026 (estimated)
Award/denial notification timeline
August 13, 2026 (estimated)
Award statement
Award(s) will be made to the responsive and responsible applicant(s) that:
- Attains the highest scored application.
- Best meets the needs of the population of focus.
- Best meets the needs of the people within the state, as determined by DHS.
Application requirements
Applications must include:
- Responses to the statements in the narrative response section. There is a 7-page narrative response maximum. Any information after the page limit will not be read, reviewed, nor scored for this funding opportunity.
- The documents outlined in the "documents" section below. These documents do not count toward the narrative response page limit.
Application scoring rubric
Applications are read, reviewed, and scored by an evaluation team using the 100-point scale listed below. For sections with a higher point value, more detail in the response may be needed.
- Section 1: Program design: 30 points
- Section 2: Capacity: 10 points
- Section 3: Experience and knowledge: 15 points
- Section 4: Grant priorities: 40 points
- Priority one: 15 points
- Priority two: 15 points
- Priority three: 10 points
- Section 5: Documents: 5 points
Narrative response
The narrative response describes how you will address the purpose of this funding opportunity. The narrative response must:
- Be 7 pages or less.
- Use a page size of 8.5” x 11.”
- Use a black font.
- Use a font size of at least 11-point.
Arial and Times New Roman are the recommended fonts for the narrative response.
The narrative response is a required component of your application. It must be organized into the following sections.
Maximum points available for this section: 30 points
Describe how the program requirements will be met.
- Address the needs of the population(s) of focus.
- Apply your approach or philosophy toward the issue(s) this funding opportunity seeks to address.
Maximum points available for this section: 10 points
The capacity to do the work and meet the program requirements is different from the experience doing the work.
Describe capacity to implement the program design.
- New or existing staff positions, and any professional licenses they hold, that will work under this grant and the anticipated number of hours per week for each position.
- Recruitment process and the anticipated timeline if hiring new positions.
- Continuation of the program if there is turnover in staff.
- Resources or partnerships and their role in ensuring success of this program.
If subcontractor(s) will be used to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe:
- The extent of the relationship.
- How the subcontractor(s) capacity relates to the overall ability to implement this program.
- Roles, responsibilities, and expectations of the subcontractor(s).
- Experience managing and monitoring subcontractor(s).
Maximum points available for this section: 15 points
Describe experience with, and/or knowledge similar to, this program.
- Providing services, guidance, conducting activities, and/or fulfilling requirements specific to alcohol policy and environmental change.
- Building relationships with and/or working with the population(s) of focus or similar population(s).
- Collecting and using data or other information to determine if efforts had an impact.
- Hiring and supervising staff with specialized knowledge or licensure.
If using subcontractor(s) to perform activities to achieve program goals, describe their experience with, and/or knowledge similar to, this program:
- Providing services, conducting activities, and/or fulfilling requirements.
- Building relationships with and/or working with the population(s) of focus or similar population(s).
- Collecting and using data or other information to determine if efforts had an impact.
- Hiring and supervising staff with specialized knowledge or licensure.
Describe the relevant training and professional development staff and/or subcontracted staff will receive over the anticipated total funding period.
Maximum points available for this section: 40 points
For each priority, describe the:
- Objectives: Measurable and time-bound efforts to achieve the priority.
- Activities: Specific steps you will take to meet the objectives.
- Timelines: When you anticipate starting and finishing each activity.
- Measurable impact: Describe how you will measure or demonstrate a desirable outcome is being achieved for the priority (for example, data source(s) or measurements that will be used, surveys of clientele, etc.).
Priority one
Maximum points available for priority one: 15 points
Increase the use of policies and evidence-based practices for environmental and community-led prevention strategies to prevent and reduce underage drinking, alcohol misuse, and binge drinking in Wisconsin.
Priority two
Maximum points available for priority two: 15 points
Increase partner capacity, awareness, skills, and knowledge on alcohol priorities, gaps, and needs through training, technical assistance, research, educational materials, or other strategies.
Priority three
Maximum points available for priority three: 10 points
Increase alignment of Wisconsin’s prevention infrastructure to identify collaboration opportunities, eliminate duplication, fill gaps and coordinate strategies across the regions to make a greater statewide impact.
Maximum points available for this section: 5 points
The following documents must be submitted with the narrative response. These documents do not count toward the narrative response page limit:
- IRS Form W-9 (PDF).
- DCTS Summary Line item Budget: Condensed, F-01601-C (Excel) outlining the costs for the first year.
- Letters of commitment (required from each project partner or subcontractor with an active role in the program). Do not include letters of support. Letters of support will not be considered.
Reporting requirements
Recipients of this funding are required to follow all reporting requirements defined by DHS, including:
- Performance reporting completed two times a year with due dates that will be set in writing by DHS. Performance reports are typically due no later than 30 days past the midpoint of the contract period and no later than 30 days past contract end date, unless otherwise noted in writing by DHS.
- Expense reporting forms submitted on a timeline and in a format approved by DHS.
- Substance Abuse Prevention Services Information System (SAPSIS) reporting submitted annually.
- Annual federal reporting support to DHS as it relates to alcohol. This may include the annual Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Act (STOP Act) grant report.
Application submission
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. June 17, 2026.
Applications must include the narrative response and the additional documents outlined in the application requirements section.
By submitting an application, the applicant acknowledges the Grant Funding Opportunities: Definitions and Legal Requirements are part of this funding opportunity.
Submit applications to DHSDCTSBPTRFundingOpportunities@dhs.wisconsin.gov with the subject line Wisconsin Alcohol Policy Project.