Jersey City Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the Department of Health & Human Services Partnership for a HealthierJC announced Nov. 7 the opening of the 2026 Opioid Settlement Fund Grant cycle.
The competitive program will provide funding for evidence-based initiatives focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and youth mental health programming as preventive measures against opioid use. Programs must also demonstrate a social equity lens, ensuring that services reach Jersey City residents who are most at risk.
Since its establishment in 2015, HealthierJC has allocated $4.5 million in grants and support to organizations that serve Jersey City residents.
The 2026 grant cycle has three funding tiers:
- Short-term summer programs may apply for awards of up to $10,000 for initiatives running from July 1, 2026, through Aug. 31, 2026.
- School-year programs are eligible for up to $30,000, supporting projects from January through mid-June 2026, with continuation from September through December of the same year.
- Year-long programming can receive up to $50,000, covering comprehensive initiatives operating between Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026.
Applications must align with the state-mandated Schedule B, which governs all allowable uses of opioid settlement funds. The review process will be held by an independent committee using a measure that evaluates curriculum quality, program design, accessibility, organizational capacity, staff qualifications, budget reasonableness and measurable outcomes.
“By empowering our HealthierJC partners to design programs that connect STEAM learning with mental health support, we are tackling the opioid crisis at its roots,” said Stacey Flanagan, director of the Department of Health and Human Services. “These grants not only expand resources for youth wellness but also strengthen the capacity of our newer community organizations.”
All applicants must be members of the Partnership for a HealthierJC, which ensures access to critical health initiatives, resources, and future grant opportunities. Funding will be issued on a quarterly reimbursement basis, consistent with standard city procedures.
Applications can be found online and are due by Dec. 1.
Opioid-related overdose deaths in New Jersey have declined in recent years. The state recorded 2,816 overdose deaths in 2023, down from 3,171 in 2022. The findings are in line with a nationwide trend of fewer drug-related deaths, where most states are seeing drops in fatal outcomes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
