Tribal Behavioral Health Substance Use Prevention

The Tribal Behavioral Health Substance Use Prevention program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This federal initiative is part of a broader national effort to address substance use and behavioral health disparities, particularly within American Indian and Alaska Native communities. SAMHSA has historically supported culturally grounded prevention and treatment services, and this program reflects a continued commitment to strengthening community-based approaches that are responsive to tribal needs and priorities. The purpose of this program is to prevent and reduce substance use and overdose among American Indian and Alaska Native youth and young adults through age 24. The initiative emphasizes the development of community-driven prevention systems that integrate culturally appropriate strategies, local partnerships, and evidence-informed practices. Funded activities are expected to address not only substance use prevention but also early intervention, overdose response, and improved connections to treatment and recovery support services. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support a wide range of prevention-focused activities. These may include establishing or strengthening prevention infrastructure, delivering community education and outreach, implementing culturally relevant programming, and enhancing coordination among tribal health systems and service providers. The program encourages collaboration among tribal governments, tribal organizations, and Urban Indian Organizations to build sustainable systems that can respond effectively to substance use challenges within their communities. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this funding, reducing financial barriers for eligible applicants. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, tribal organizations, Urban Indian Organizations, and consortia of tribes or tribal organizations. This ensures that funding is directed toward entities with established authority, cultural competence, and community trust within AI/AN populations. Applicants must demonstrate their capacity to implement prevention strategies and engage youth and young adults in meaningful and culturally appropriate ways. The application process will be conducted through Grants.gov once the opportunity is officially posted. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast, applicants can expect to provide standard federal grant materials such as project narratives, budgets, and organizational information. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on the strength of the proposed prevention strategies, community engagement, cultural relevance, organizational capacity, and the potential for measurable impact on substance use outcomes. This opportunity is currently in forecast status, with an estimated posting date of May 29, 2026. Key application deadlines, award dates, and project start dates have not yet been announced. The total estimated program funding is 9000000 dollars, with approximately 26 awards anticipated. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor the official posting for full details and prepare in advance. For additional information, SAMHSA provides a contact email and phone number for inquiries related to the program.