Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced this week a new competitive grant program to help communities across Iowa address the opioid crisis using settlement funds recovered from opioid manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies. The Iowa Attorney General’s Office has secured more than $365 million for the state through national opioid settlements. Of that total, about $186 million represents the state’s share, while $179 million has been allocated to individual Iowa counties for dissemination. Legislation approved in 2025 directs a quarter of the state’s portion to the attorney general’s office to support programs, services, and initiatives focused on preventing and treating opioid misuse and addiction. Bird’s office estimates that roughly $20 million will be available for distribution from its share of settlement funds by 2030, but some of those funds are already available. Applications for funding will be accepted beginning in late February, and details on how to apply will be provided by the AG’s office at that time. Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and projects of all sizes and scopes are encouraged to apply. Bird says, “The opioid epidemic is one of the greatest problems plaguing our society today. Between 2020 to 2024, over a thousand Iowans died from an opioid overdose, and countless families have been impacted by addiction. As attorney general, I’m thankful to have secured settlements from opioid manufacturers, pharmacies, and distributors that profited from illegal marketing, dispensing, and distribution of opioids. Now, we’ll use this money to prevent and treat opioid addiction in our Iowa communities.” Organizations can request notification when applications open by emailing opioid.funding@ag.iowa.gov.
