health · HHS-SAMHS-SAMHSA
Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis · SM-26-005
Award Range
$0 – $1.5M
Total Program Funding
$55.8M
Expected Awards
31
Deadline
July 27, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
SAMHSA is investing $55.7M in school-based mental health and substance use services through Project AWARE. The goal: build a sustainable framework for addressing mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders in school-aged youth. This goes to local/tribal education agencies and their partners. 31 awards of up to $1.5M each. The program wants you to train school staff, provide direct services, and create systems that last beyond the grant period.
Who Should Apply
Local education agencies (school districts), tribal education agencies, and nonprofit organizations partnering with schools. Must serve school-aged youth and have capacity to deliver or coordinate mental health services.
Who Should NOT Apply
Higher education institutions (this is K-12 focused), individual therapists, organizations without school partnerships, or for-profit companies.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must serve school-aged youth in educational settings
- •Must address mental health AND substance use (not just one)
- •Must build sustainable infrastructure (not just deliver short-term services)
- •Must include training for school personnel (teachers, counselors, administrators)
- •Must be a domestic public or private nonprofit entity
💡 GrantQuick Tip
Project AWARE is one of SAMHSA's largest and most established programs — 31 awards means good odds for qualified applicants. The winning formula: partner a school district with a community mental health provider. The district provides access and integration; the mental health org provides clinical expertise. Sustainability plan is CRITICAL — show how services continue after the 5-year grant ends (Medicaid billing, school budget integration, community fundraising).
Competitiveness: Moderate — 31 awards is generous but this is a well-known SAMHSA program that attracts strong applicants. School districts with existing mental health partnerships have a significant advantage.
What This Grant Funds
The purpose of Project AWARE is to develop a sustainable framework to address mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders and promote the social and emotional wellbeing for school-aged youth in local or tribal education agency settings.
NOTE: at least three awards will be made to a tribe or tribal organization pending sufficient volume of applications.
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Maximum Award
- $1.5M
- Total Program Funding
- $55.8M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 31
- Cost Sharing Required?
- No
- Funding Instrument
- grant
Key Dates
Agency Contact
Office of Financial Resources Division of Grants Management 240-276-1940
NOFOBudget.CMHS@samhsa.hhs.govReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov