Adult Suicide Prevention

The Adult Suicide Prevention program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA is responsible for advancing behavioral health nationwide, with a focus on mental health and substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery. This funding opportunity, identified as SM-26-007, is part of SAMHSA’s broader strategic priorities to strengthen community-based systems and improve access to evidence-based interventions. The program is authorized under Section 520L of the Public Health Service Act and is aligned with federal initiatives to reduce suicide rates and enhance community resilience. The purpose of this program is to build and strengthen community infrastructure that supports early intervention, suicide prevention, and resilience among adults at risk of suicide. Rather than funding direct clinical services, the program emphasizes upstream, community-led approaches that leverage local partnerships, social networks, and non-clinical resources. Applicants are expected to establish a coordinated Adult Suicide Prevention program that promotes protective factors, reduces risk factors, and integrates evidence-based practices across sectors. This includes fostering collaboration among healthcare providers, community organizations, businesses, and public agencies to create sustainable systems that support individuals before, during, and after crises. Funding for this opportunity is provided through grants, with an estimated total program funding of approximately 1.86 million dollars and an anticipated five awards. Each award may receive up to 400,000 dollars per year for a project period of up to four years, subject to annual continuation based on performance and funding availability. Funds are primarily intended for capacity building activities, including strategic planning, workforce development, partnership development, and community engagement. The program includes strict funding limitations, such as prohibitions on using funds for direct service delivery, food expenses, or activities that conflict with federal policies. Additionally, cost sharing or matching funds are not required. Eligible applicants are limited by statute to specific entity types, including community-based primary care or behavioral health settings, emergency departments, state or public health agencies, U.S. territories, and tribal organizations. The program encourages broad collaboration among stakeholders, including law enforcement, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, and community leaders. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to convene a community suicide prevention task force, develop a comprehensive strategic plan within six months of award, and implement that plan within nine months. Required activities also include promoting lethal means safety and supporting evidence-based care transitions. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple components such as a project abstract, project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting attachments. The project narrative is limited to ten pages and must address specific evaluation criteria, including population need, implementation approach, organizational capacity, and data collection plans. Applicants must also submit standard federal forms and documentation such as letters of commitment, a project timeline, and proof of nonprofit status if applicable. Registration in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons is required prior to submission. Applications are due by July 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The expected award date is September 1, 2026, with a project start date of September 30, 2026. The review process includes an initial eligibility screening followed by a merit-based peer review. Final funding decisions consider review scores, alignment with agency priorities, and availability of funds. Award notifications are issued through eRA Commons, and unsuccessful applicants receive reviewer feedback within several months. Recipients of this grant must comply with extensive post-award requirements, including participation in technical assistance activities, submission of annual progress reports, and adherence to federal regulations and performance measurement standards. The program requires ongoing data collection and reporting to demonstrate outcomes and support continuous improvement. Although the opportunity does not explicitly state a recurring cycle, it follows a structured federal grant timeline and may be reissued in future fiscal years depending on appropriations and program priorities.

Align proposal closely with required activities and SAMHSA strategic priorities; provide clear measurable objectives tied to community need; demonstrate strong cross-sector partnerships and capacity building approach