health · HHS-SAMHS-SAMHSA
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Crisis Center Follow-Up Programs
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis · FG-26-004
Award Range
$0 – $250K
Total Program Funding
$7.5M
Expected Awards
30
Deadline
July 17, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
SAMHSA is funding 30 grants (up to $250K each, $7.5M total) for 988 crisis centers to implement follow-up programs for people who call 988. After someone calls 988 in crisis, these programs ensure systematic outreach and follow-up in the days/weeks after — checking in, connecting to services, and preventing re-escalation. Evidence shows follow-up after crisis contact significantly reduces suicide attempts.
Who Should Apply
Existing 988/crisis centers and crisis service providers that want to add or expand systematic follow-up programs for callers. Must be operational crisis centers (not proposing to create one from scratch).
Who Should NOT Apply
Organizations without existing crisis center operations, non-crisis mental health providers, or entities that don't currently answer 988 calls.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must be an existing 988/crisis center or crisis service provider
- •Must implement systematic follow-up for crisis callers
- •30 awards up to $250K each
- •Must follow evidence-based follow-up protocols
- •Must demonstrate reduced re-crisis/readmission rates
- •No cost-sharing required
💡 GrantQuick Tip
30 awards for crisis center follow-up programs is very accessible. The evidence base is clear: structured follow-up calls/texts in the 24-72 hours after a crisis contact reduce subsequent attempts. Show you'll implement a specific protocol (Stanley-Brown Safety Plan follow-up, caring contacts, etc.) and track outcomes (percentage contacted, percentage connected to services, re-call rates). You don't need to reinvent the wheel — replicate what works.
Competitiveness: Low-moderate — 30 awards for existing crisis centers. Centers that can show current gaps in follow-up capacity are well-positioned.
What This Grant Funds
The purpose of the program is to expand efforts among Lifeline crisis centers to support individuals post-contact to provide continued support and linkages to decrease suicide, deaths by overdose and future crisis events by: (1) ensuring the systematic follow-up of suicidal persons who contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; (2) providing enhanced coordination of crisis stabilization, crisis respite, mobile crisis outreach (MCO) response services and other services on the crisis continuum of care; (3) reducing unnecessary police, fire and emergency medical services engagement to allow first responders to focus on public safety; and (4) improving connections to ongoing support and recovery for high-risk populations.
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Maximum Award
- $250K
- Total Program Funding
- $7.5M
- Expected Number of Awards
- 30
- Cost Sharing Required?
- No
- Funding Instrument
- cooperative_agreement
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