Preventing Youth Overdose: Treatment, Recovery, Education, Awareness and Training

The Preventing Youth Overdose: Treatment, Recovery, Education, Awareness and Training program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This federal funding opportunity is designed to address the ongoing overdose crisis affecting youth and young adults, particularly the rise in fentanyl-related deaths. SAMHSA, as a leading federal agency focused on behavioral health, aims through this program to expand access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services while increasing public awareness of substance use risks among individuals aged 10 to 25. The program aligns with broader federal priorities related to public health, recovery, and evidence-based service delivery. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to improve awareness of the risks associated with synthetic opioids and to expand access to evidence-based prevention, treatment, and recovery support services for youth and young adults with opioid use disorder and other substance use disorders. Funded programs are expected to deliver a comprehensive set of services, including primary prevention education, screening and diagnosis, treatment provision or referral, medication-assisted treatment, and recovery support. Additionally, the program emphasizes training for healthcare providers, families, and school personnel to better support youth experiencing substance use disorders and to promote safe and effective treatment practices. Funding is structured as a discretionary grant program with an estimated total funding pool of 2,700,000 dollars and approximately six awards anticipated. Each award may provide up to 450,000 dollars annually for a project period of up to three years, contingent on performance and availability of funds. Funds are primarily intended for direct service delivery, and recipients must initiate services within four months of award. Allowable uses include treatment services, recovery supports, education, workforce training, and community outreach. However, there are explicit restrictions, including prohibitions on funding harm reduction activities, certain medications for infectious diseases, and activities that conflict with federal policy priorities. Eligible applicants are statutorily defined and include a wide range of entities such as local and state educational agencies, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with relevant expertise, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and workforce development entities. Applicants must demonstrate experience and credentials in providing substance use or behavioral health services and must include formal commitments from partner organizations where applicable. Compliance with licensing, accreditation, and certification requirements is mandatory, and applicants must provide documentation verifying at least two years of relevant service delivery experience. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or eRA Commons and includes several required components such as a project abstract, project narrative, budget narrative, and multiple attachments including letters of commitment, data collection plans, and organizational documentation. Applicants must also complete standard federal forms. The project narrative is limited to ten pages and must address specific evaluation criteria including population need, implementation approach, evidence-based practices, organizational capacity, and data collection strategies. Applications undergo an initial eligibility screening followed by a merit-based peer review process. Key dates for this opportunity include an application deadline of July 16, 2026, with awards expected to be issued by September 1, 2026, and project activities anticipated to begin by September 30, 2026. The program is not described as recurring, and funding decisions are based on peer review results, alignment with agency priorities, and availability of funds. Awardees are required to comply with extensive reporting and performance measurement requirements, including regular data submission and program evaluation. Contact information is provided for programmatic, financial, and review-related inquiries, ensuring applicants have access to guidance throughout the process.

Ensure strong alignment with evidence-based practices; clearly define measurable outcomes; demonstrate organizational experience; include detailed data collection and evaluation plans; ensure all required attachments are complete and compliant