Writing a Drug Free Communities (DFC) grant has become increasingly difficult with decreasing program funding levels and the large number of candidates. Each year, SAMHSA receives approximately 500 applications. On average, around a third of applications are funded, although in 2011 only 19.2% of applications received funding, and in 2012 this figure fell to 16.5%, the lowest number of applications funded since 2002. During the FY 2006 funding cycle, applicants had to score 82 or higher to receive funding, but by 2013 the minimum score had increased by 10 points, to 92. So what should an applicant do? coalition to increase its chances of scoring high enough to obtain funding? Here are some suggestions for developing a successful DFC grant application. Although PLC staff insist that the PLC grant application is simple, it is actually a complex federal grant with very specific requirements that must be met. Coalitions should understand the two-part DFC application review process. The first review occurs when SAMHSA receives applications, and ONDCP and SAMHSA eligibility examiners review each application to ensure compliance with legal eligibility requirements outlined in the Drug-Free Communities Act of 1997 and other requirements such as application due date and format requirements as well as page limitations. Failure to meet a single requirement may render an application ineligible and it will not be submitted for peer review for scoring. , It is very easy to make a simple mistake and therefore be contacted for clarification, or worse, rejected outright. Other times, coalitions are contacted for clarification because eligibility checkers could not find something that was clearly middle of paper...... example, (sample action plan ) *** Finally, put enough aside it's time to carefully consider your proposal. When reviewing this, make sure your story is coherent. Proposals must make a strong case, demonstrate a compelling need, and demonstrate how the proposed activities will effectively meet that need. Your action plan should name the same target substances that you identified in the Community Needs section. The strategies and activities in the action plan should be directly related to your target substances, and your budget should only include the costs associated with these strategies and activities. Use the scoring criteria and point allocation to ensure all tender requirements are met and score the section as if you were the evaluator. Finally, allow enough time at the end of this process to remedy any unpaid debts you notice, before submitting your final proposal..