Opportunity Information: Apply for SM 26 020
The Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number SM 26 020) is a discretionary grant program administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It falls under the health funding activity category and is listed under CFDA 93.532. The program is designed to support projects that either build new or strengthen existing evidence-based efforts focused on the mental health and social-emotional development of infants and young children. In practical terms, the funding is aimed at helping organizations put proven approaches into place (or expand them) so young children can develop healthy emotional regulation, secure relationships, and early social skills, while also identifying and responding to early signs of mental health needs.
The central purpose of the opportunity is to improve outcomes in the earliest stages of childhood by promoting social-emotional development and addressing mental health needs before challenges become more severe or entrenched. While the notice does not list specific intervention models in the provided excerpt, the emphasis on "evidence-based programs" signals that applicants are expected to rely on approaches with credible research support and to implement them with fidelity, appropriate training, and meaningful evaluation. Programs supported under this kind of initiative commonly involve early identification and screening, dyadic or relationship-based supports (such as interventions that strengthen caregiver-child attachment), parent or caregiver skill-building, and coordinated referral pathways so families can access the right level of care quickly. The overall intent is prevention and early intervention: improving child well-being by supporting the caregiving environment and addressing developmental and behavioral health concerns as early as possible.
Eligibility is limited by statute, meaning only certain types of organizations can apply. Specifically, eligible applicants are human services agencies or non-profit institutions, and the opportunity lists "Others" as the eligible applicant category while restricting it to those two organizational types. This limitation is important for planning, since entities outside those categories (for example, many for-profit organizations or applicants that do not qualify as a human services agency or nonprofit) would not be able to apply directly unless they partner in an allowable way under the program rules.
This opportunity uses a grant funding instrument. The award ceiling is $500,000 per award, and the agency expects to make 11 awards. The original closing date for applications is July 16, 2026, and the opportunity was created on June 16, 2026. Taken together, those details indicate a relatively competitive national funding round with a defined application window and mid-sized awards intended to support implementation and enhancement of early childhood mental health programming at the community or systems level.
In summary, this SAMHSA funding opportunity is focused on strengthening the early childhood mental health ecosystem by investing in evidence-based, developmentally appropriate programs for infants and young children, with the goal of promoting healthy social-emotional development and addressing mental health needs early. The funding is specifically reserved for human services agencies and nonprofit institutions, with awards up to $500,000 and an anticipated total of 11 funded projects, due July 16, 2026.Apply for SM 26 020
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.532.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 11 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Grant (SAMHSA) FAQs
What is the Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health grant opportunity?
It is a discretionary grant program administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The opportunity supports projects focused on infant and early childhood mental health and social-emotional development.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SM 26 020.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is listed under CFDA 93.532.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity falls under the health funding activity category.
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The central purpose is to improve outcomes in the earliest stages of childhood by promoting social-emotional development and addressing mental health needs early, before challenges become more severe or entrenched.
What kinds of projects does the grant support?
The grant supports projects that either build new or strengthen existing evidence-based efforts focused on the mental health and social-emotional development of infants and young children.
Does the opportunity require evidence-based programming?
Yes. The opportunity emphasizes "evidence-based programs," indicating applicants are expected to rely on approaches with credible research support and to implement them in a way that maintains fidelity, includes appropriate training, and incorporates meaningful evaluation.
Are specific intervention models required or listed?
The provided information does not list specific intervention models. The emphasis is on evidence-based approaches and effective implementation rather than naming particular models in the excerpt provided.
What outcomes is the funding intended to support for infants and young children?
The funding is aimed at helping young children develop healthy emotional regulation, secure relationships, and early social skills, while also improving the ability to identify and respond to early signs of mental health needs.
What types of activities are commonly associated with programs like this (based on the notice summary provided)?
Programs supported under this kind of initiative commonly involve early identification and screening, dyadic or relationship-based supports that strengthen caregiver-child attachment, parent or caregiver skill-building, and coordinated referral pathways so families can access the right level of care quickly.
Is this opportunity focused more on prevention, treatment, or both?
The overall intent is prevention and early intervention, improving child well-being by supporting the caregiving environment and addressing developmental and behavioral health concerns as early as possible.
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Eligibility is limited by statute. Eligible applicants are human services agencies or non-profit institutions. The opportunity lists "Others" as an eligible applicant category, but restricts that category to those two organizational types.
Can for-profit organizations apply directly?
Based on the eligibility limitation described, entities outside the categories of human services agencies or non-profit institutions (including many for-profit organizations) would not be able to apply directly.
What type of funding instrument is used?
This opportunity uses a grant funding instrument.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $500,000 per award.
How many awards does SAMHSA expect to make?
SAMHSA expects to make 11 awards.
When is the application deadline?
The original closing date for applications is July 16, 2026.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 16, 2026.
How competitive is this funding opportunity likely to be?
The details provided suggest a competitive national funding round, with a defined application window, an anticipated 11 awards, and mid-sized awards intended to support implementation or enhancement of early childhood mental health programming.
What is the core theme or focus area of this SAMHSA opportunity?
The core focus is strengthening the early childhood mental health ecosystem by investing in evidence-based, developmentally appropriate programs for infants and young children to promote healthy social-emotional development and address mental health needs early.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SM 26 020) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Safety Through Recovery, Engagement, and Evidence-Based Treatment and Support Apply for SM 26 019 Funding Number: SM 26 019 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Behavioral Health Partnerships for Early Diversion of Adults and Youth Apply for SM 26 025 Funding Number: SM 26 025 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $650,000 |
| Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care: States Apply for SM 26 021 Funding Number: SM 26 021 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Trauma-Informed Services in Schools Apply for SM 26 006 Funding Number: SM 26 006 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $970,000 |
| Statewide Consumer Network Apply for SM 26 027 Funding Number: SM 26 027 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Assertive Community Treatment Apply for SM 26 022 Funding Number: SM 26 022 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Rural Emergency Medical Services Training Apply for TI 26 004 Funding Number: TI 26 004 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Statewide Family Network Apply for SM 26 028 Funding Number: SM 26 028 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Team Partnerships Apply for SM 26 029 Funding Number: SM 26 029 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Center of Excellence on Eating Disorders Apply for SM 26 031 Funding Number: SM 26 031 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,873,148 |
| Mental Health Awareness Training Grants Apply for SM 26 030 Funding Number: SM 26 030 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Tribal Opioid Response Apply for TI 26 012 Funding Number: TI 26 012 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,750,000 |
| Treatment and Recovery Services for Youth, Young Adults, and Families Apply for TI 26 011 Funding Number: TI 26 011 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $545,000 |
| State Pilot Program for Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Apply for TI 26 014 Funding Number: TI 26 014 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,080,000 |
| Comprehensive Opioid Recovery Centers Apply for TI 26 013 Funding Number: TI 26 013 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $850,000 |
| First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act Apply for TI 26 006 Funding Number: TI 26 006 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment Apply for TI 26 005 Funding Number: TI 26 005 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $995,000 |
| Treatment, Recovery, and Workforce Support Apply for TI 26 009 Funding Number: TI 26 009 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Medication-Assisted Treatment - Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction Apply for TI 26 008 Funding Number: TI 26 008 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Center of Excellence for Protected Health Information Related to Behavioral Health Apply for TI 26 020 Funding Number: TI 26 020 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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