Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Centers

The Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Centers program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under authority of the Public Health Service Act. SAMHSA’s mission focuses on reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on communities across the United States. This funding opportunity establishes a coordinated national and regional infrastructure to address opioid and stimulant misuse, particularly in rural communities where access to care and prevention resources is limited. The program includes ten Regional Centers and one National Coordinating Office that work collectively to strengthen behavioral health systems through training and technical assistance. The primary purpose of the program is to develop and disseminate high-quality training and technical assistance that supports prevention, including overdose prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for substance use disorders in rural areas. The program emphasizes evidence-based and evidence-informed practices and aims to improve integration of behavioral health into general healthcare settings. Activities include developing educational resources, conducting needs assessments, delivering training programs, and supporting implementation of best practices for opioid and stimulant use disorders. The intended beneficiaries are rural healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, faith-based entities, and communities, with a focus on individuals and families affected by substance use disorders. Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement mechanism, indicating substantial involvement from federal staff throughout the project period. The program has an estimated total funding pool of $7,150,000 and expects to make eleven awards, including one for the National Coordinating Office and ten for Regional Centers. Each award may receive up to $650,000 annually for a project period of up to three years. Funds are primarily intended for training and technical assistance activities, and applicants must adhere to strict funding restrictions, including limitations on indirect costs and prohibitions on certain activities such as food expenses and non-compliant programmatic uses. Eligibility is limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities, including state and local governments, tribal organizations, health facilities, and nonprofit organizations such as faith-based groups. Applicants seeking to operate a Regional Center must be physically located within the specific geographic region they intend to serve. Organizations may apply for both a Regional Center and the National Coordinating Office but must submit separate applications for each. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program, which lowers barriers to participation for eligible entities. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or eRA Commons and includes multiple components such as a project abstract, project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting attachments. The project narrative is limited to fifteen pages and must address specific evaluation criteria, including need, implementation approach, organizational capacity, and data collection plans. Required attachments include items such as letters of commitment, a project timeline, and documentation of nonprofit status. Applicants must also register in federal systems such as SAM.gov and eRA Commons prior to submission. Applications will be reviewed through a multi-step process that includes initial eligibility screening, merit review by peer reviewers, and final funding decisions based on alignment with program priorities and available funding. The application deadline is July 16, 2026, with awards expected by September 1, 2026, and project start dates anticipated for September 30, 2026. Recipients must comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including performance data submission and programmatic progress reports, and participate in SAMHSA-led coordination and evaluation activities throughout the project period.

Align proposal with SAMHSA strategic priorities; emphasize evidence-based practices; clearly define rural impact and measurable outcomes; ensure compliance with funding restrictions