Opportunity Information: Apply for SM 26 005
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) focused on strengthening how schools and education agencies prevent, identify, and respond to student mental health and substance use needs. The central aim is to help applicants build a sustainable framework in local education agency (LEA) or tribal education agency settings that addresses mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions, while also promoting broader social and emotional wellbeing for school-aged youth. In practice, the opportunity is geared toward building systems that can last beyond the grant period, such as consistent policies, coordinated referral pathways, workforce training, partnerships with behavioral health providers, and school-based practices that support student resilience and wellness.
This funding opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number SM 26 005 and is categorized as a grant within the Health funding activity area (CFDA 93.532). The program is structured to make multiple awards nationwide, with an expected total of 31 awards. Individual awards can be as large as $1,500,000 (the award ceiling), indicating SAMHSA is looking for sizable, multi-component projects rather than small pilot efforts. The application closing date is July 27, 2026, and the opportunity was created on July 1, 2026, which signals a relatively short window between posting and deadline and suggests applicants should be ready to assemble partnerships, project plans, and required attachments quickly.
A notable feature of this competition is the emphasis on tribal participation. SAMHSA states that at least three awards will be made to a tribe or tribal organization, provided there is a sufficient volume of applications. That language typically means tribal applicants are strongly encouraged and that SAMHSA intends to ensure meaningful representation of tribal communities in the award portfolio, while still depending on how many eligible, competitive tribal applications are submitted.
Eligibility is statutorily limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities. This restriction matters because it generally excludes for-profit organizations and non-domestic entities, even if they have relevant expertise. The eligible applicant category is labeled as "Others," which often reflects that the program may accept a range of nonprofit and public entities beyond a single narrow type, as long as they meet the statutory nonprofit/public and domestic requirements and can operate in or in partnership with local or tribal education agencies. Because the project focus is specifically in LEA or tribal education agency settings, competitive applications are likely to demonstrate clear access to school-aged youth populations, strong collaboration with schools, and credible coordination with mental health and substance use service systems.
Overall, Project AWARE is designed to help education-centered systems move from fragmented, reactive responses to a more coordinated and preventative approach. The program’s framing around sustainability and co-occurring disorders suggests SAMHSA is looking for applicants that can integrate student supports across mental health and substance use, reduce barriers to getting help, and embed social-emotional wellbeing supports into school and community structures in a way that persists after federal funds end.Apply for SM 26 005
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education)" 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 2026-07-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-27. (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 $1,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 31 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) Grant FAQs
What is Project AWARE?
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It focuses on strengthening how schools and education agencies prevent, identify, and respond to student mental health and substance use needs.
What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The central aim is to help applicants build a sustainable framework in local education agency (LEA) or tribal education agency settings that addresses mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions, while also promoting broader social and emotional wellbeing for school-aged youth.
What kinds of activities does SAMHSA expect applicants to build or improve?
Based on the description, SAMHSA is looking for systems that last beyond the grant period, such as consistent policies, coordinated referral pathways, workforce training, partnerships with behavioral health providers, and school-based practices that support student resilience and wellness.
Is this grant more focused on pilots or on larger system-building projects?
The award ceiling of up to $1,500,000 suggests SAMHSA is looking for sizable, multi-component projects rather than small pilot efforts, with an emphasis on coordinated approaches and long-term sustainability.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is SM 26 005.
What is the CFDA number and funding activity area?
This opportunity is categorized as a grant within the Health funding activity area, under CFDA 93.532.
How many awards does SAMHSA expect to make?
SAMHSA expects to make multiple awards nationwide, with an expected total of 31 awards.
What is the maximum award amount?
Individual awards can be as large as $1,500,000 (the award ceiling).
When is the application due?
The application closing date is July 27, 2026.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was created on July 1, 2026.
Does the timeline suggest applicants should start quickly?
Yes. The short window between the posting date (July 1, 2026) and the closing date (July 27, 2026) suggests applicants should be prepared to assemble partnerships, project plans, and required attachments quickly.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is statutorily limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
No. The eligibility limitation to domestic public and private nonprofit entities generally excludes for-profit organizations.
Are non-U.S. (non-domestic) entities eligible?
No. The eligibility language indicates only domestic entities are eligible.
What does the eligible applicant category "Others" mean in this listing?
The eligible applicant category is labeled as "Others," which often indicates the program may accept a range of nonprofit and public entities beyond a single narrow type, as long as they meet the statutory nonprofit/public and domestic requirements and can operate in or in partnership with local or tribal education agencies.
Does the project need to be connected to a school system?
Yes. The focus is specifically in LEA or tribal education agency settings. Competitive applications are likely to demonstrate clear access to school-aged youth populations, strong collaboration with schools, and credible coordination with mental health and substance use service systems.
What populations are intended to benefit from Project AWARE?
The opportunity is framed around supporting school-aged youth, including improving how schools and education agencies address student mental health, substance use, and co-occurring conditions, while promoting social and emotional wellbeing.
How does the grant address co-occurring conditions?
The description emphasizes building a framework that addresses mental health disorders, substance use disorders, and co-occurring conditions. This suggests SAMHSA is looking for approaches that integrate supports across both mental health and substance use rather than treating them as separate, disconnected systems.
What does SAMHSA mean by "sustainability" in this program?
In this context, sustainability points to building systems and practices that persist after federal funds end, such as durable policies, established referral and coordination pathways, trained staff and workforce capacity, and ongoing partnerships with behavioral health providers.
Is there a specific emphasis on tribal participation?
Yes. SAMHSA states that at least three awards will be made to a tribe or tribal organization, provided there is a sufficient volume of applications.
Does SAMHSA guarantee at least three tribal awards?
Not unconditionally. The language indicates at least three awards will be made to a tribe or tribal organization provided there are enough applications. This means SAMHSA intends to make these awards if a sufficient number of eligible and competitive tribal applications are submitted.
Why does the opportunity emphasize tribal applicants?
The stated intent to make at least three awards to tribes or tribal organizations (if enough applications are received) signals that tribal applicants are strongly encouraged and SAMHSA aims to ensure meaningful representation of tribal communities in the overall group of awardees.
What overall approach is SAMHSA trying to promote through Project AWARE?
Project AWARE is designed to help education-centered systems move from fragmented, reactive responses to a more coordinated and preventative approach, with a focus on reducing barriers to getting help and embedding social-emotional wellbeing supports into school and community structures.
What would a competitive application likely demonstrate, based on the summary provided?
Based on the opportunity description, competitive applications are likely to show (1) a clear plan for sustainable systems in LEA or tribal education agency settings, (2) strong collaboration with schools and access to school-aged youth, (3) coordinated referral pathways and partnerships with behavioral health providers, and (4) integrated attention to mental health, substance use, and co-occurring conditions.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SM 26 005) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative - Community Treatment and Service Centers (CTS) Apply for SM 26 004 Funding Number: SM 26 004 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Adult Suicide Prevention Apply for SM 26 007 Funding Number: SM 26 007 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $400,000 |
| Providers Clinical Support System - Universities Apply for TI 26 001 Funding Number: TI 26 001 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Cooperative Agreements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grants Apply for SM 26 016 Funding Number: SM 26 016 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) Planning, Development, and Implementation Grant Apply for SM 26 014 Funding Number: SM 26 014 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Consumer and Consumer Support Technical Assistance Center Apply for SM 26 017 Funding Number: SM 26 017 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,782,291 |
| Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Improvement and Advancement Grant Apply for SM 26 015 Funding Number: SM 26 015 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA RM 27 004 Funding Number: RFA RM 27 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Rural Health Network Advancement Program Apply for HRSA 26 082 Funding Number: HRSA 26 082 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA RM 27 002 Funding Number: RFA RM 27 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA RM 27 001 Funding Number: RFA RM 27 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Sickle Cell Disease Regional Care Excellence (SoRCE) Program Apply for HRSA 26 052 Funding Number: HRSA 26 052 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems SEED Project: Scaling Effective Early Childhood Systems Development (ECCS SEED) Apply for HRSA 26 057 Funding Number: HRSA 26 057 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $875,000 |
| Single Source Competition: Continuation of the Cardiovascular Repository for Type 1 Diabetes (CaRe-T1D) - Resource Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 27 109 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 109 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part D Coordinated HIV Services and Access to Research for Women, Infants, Children, and Youth (WICY) Existing Geographic Service Areas Apply for HRSA 26 067 Funding Number: HRSA 26 067 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Rural Health Research Dissemination Program Apply for HRSA 26 049 Funding Number: HRSA 26 049 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $230,000 |
| Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program Apply for HRSA 26 053 Funding Number: HRSA 26 053 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Crisis Center Follow-Up Programs Apply for FG 26 004 Funding Number: FG 26 004 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY2026 Support for 988 Tribal Response Cooperative Agreements Apply for FG 26 003 Funding Number: FG 26 003 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Cooperative Agreements for States and Territories to Improve Local 988 Capacity Apply for FG 26 002 Funding Number: FG 26 002 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $20,195,467 |
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