The FY26 COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force Program, administered by the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) office of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides competitive grants to state law enforcement agencies to investigate and disrupt illicit activities involving the distribution of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, or the unlawful distribution of prescription opioids.

Overview

The COPS Anti-Heroin Task Force (AHTF) Program advances public safety by supporting statewide collaboration among law enforcement agencies in states with high per capita rates of primary treatment admissions for opioid-related substances. The program aims to increase the number of hours devoted to statewide task forces, expand the range of agencies participating in task force operations, and strengthen analytical capabilities. Throughout the FY26 AHTF materials, the terms community policing and common sense policing are used interchangeably.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $34,500,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 15
• Maximum Award: $4,000,000
• Minimum Award: Not specified
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Funding Instrument Type: Grant
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary

All awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds and any modifications or additional requirements that may be imposed by law.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: State governments only.

Funding is available for law enforcement agencies in states meeting the program criteria. Applications must be submitted by eligible state government entities as described in the full opportunity notice.

Allowable Activities and Costs

FY26 AHTF funds may be used for the following purposes:

• Salaries and fringe benefits for new, full-time sworn career law enforcement officer positions, including eligible rehired officers not supported in the local budget. In FY26, funding may also be used for existing positions supported by prior AHTF awards.
• Salaries and fringe benefits for civilian or non-sworn personnel not already supported in the local budget, such as AHTF project coordinators and anti-heroin, opioid, or drug analysts.
• Travel and training costs to attend AHTF-related training and technical assistance conferences, seminars, or classes, or to visit a site specified in the application.
• Equipment, technology, and supplies directly linked to the enhancement or implementation of the AHTF project.
• Procurement contracts and consultants to support the AHTF project.
• Software and prepaid warranties or maintenance agreements (not to exceed 36 months).
• Overtime costs for sworn officers and civilians engaging in AHTF-related investigative activities.

Note: AHTF funding is not available for treatment programs or prosecution of heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, or other opioid-related activities. Applicants should consult the FY26 AHTF Application Resource Guide for a full list of allowable and unallowable costs.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: July 23, 2026
• Posted Date: June 9, 2026
• Funding Opportunity Number: O-COPS-2026-172564
• Assistance Listing: 16.073

Contact Information

Grants.gov Technical Support: For assistance with submitting the SF-424, call 800-518-4726 or email support@Grants.gov. The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except on federal holidays.

JustGrants Application Support: Contact JustGrants.Support@usdoj.gov or 833-872-5175. Support is available Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, Sunday, and federal holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. Training resources are available at https://justicegrants.usdoj.gov/training-resources.

COPS Office Response Center: For programmatic assistance, call 800-421-6770 or email AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov. The Response Center operates Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, except on federal holidays. Feedback on this funding opportunity may also be sent to AskCopsRC@usdoj.gov with the subject line “FY26 PROGRAM NAME Feedback.”

Additional Information: Visit the COPS Office grants page at https://cops.usdoj.gov/grants for further details.