Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) Planning, Development, and Implementation Grant

The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) Planning, Development, and Implementation Grant is a forecasted opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through its sub-agency, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This funding initiative aligns with SAMHSA’s strategic mission to enhance the quality and accessibility of behavioral health services across the nation. The program is categorized as discretionary, reflecting a competitive process based on merit and alignment with the funder’s goals. It is authorized under Assistance Listing 93.696 and represents a continuation of SAMHSA's investment in behavioral health infrastructure through the expansion of CCBHCs. The primary objective of the grant is to support the development and establishment of new Community Behavioral Health Clinics, particularly those that address gaps in behavioral health services and promote the wellbeing of individuals experiencing mental health and substance use disorders. These clinics are designed to provide comprehensive, coordinated, and person-centered care, functioning as a critical component of the behavioral health care delivery system. This grant supports planning, development, and initial implementation, offering recipients the resources necessary to meet rigorous federal standards for certification and service delivery. This opportunity anticipates issuing up to 94 awards, with a total estimated funding pool of $94,000,000. While specific award ceilings and floors have not yet been published, the significant number of awards signals an intent to provide impactful funding to a broad range of community providers. Importantly, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants, reducing barriers for smaller or under-resourced organizations to participate. Eligible expenses may include infrastructure development, staff hiring and training, care coordination efforts, and compliance activities necessary to meet the CCBHC certification requirements. Eligibility is statutorily limited to specific types of community-based behavioral health organizations. Qualifying applicants must be either non-profit behavioral health entities, organizations under a local government behavioral health authority, or those operated under the authority of the Indian Health Service, tribal entities, or Urban Indian Organizations operating under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. This targeted eligibility ensures that the funding reaches entities with the capacity and mandate to provide behavioral health care at the community level, including those serving Indigenous populations. Submission details, such as application requirements and timelines, have not yet been finalized. However, the estimated post date for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is May 1, 2026. Once posted, the NOFO will provide full instructions on submission procedures, including any required pre-application steps, evaluation criteria, and mandatory forms. Given the nature of the opportunity, applications will likely require detailed narratives on service model design, readiness to meet certification criteria, and plans for sustainability and community engagement. Applicants and prospective grantees are encouraged to monitor Grants.gov and SAMHSA's funding pages for updates. The primary point of contact for this opportunity is Abdallah Ibrahim, who can be reached at [email protected] or (240) 276-1833. As a forecasted grant, the estimated application due date, award date, and project start date remain unspecified. However, applicants should anticipate an annual competition cycle and plan accordingly. The forecasted publication date provides ample time for organizations to prepare for the release and ensure readiness to submit competitive proposals upon publication.