GLS Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program

The GLS Campus Suicide Prevention Grant Program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a sub-agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA is a federal agency responsible for advancing behavioral health across the United States, with a focus on mental health services, substance use disorder prevention, and public health initiatives. This funding opportunity is authorized under Section 520E-2 of the Public Health Service Act and is designed to support institutions of higher education in implementing comprehensive suicide prevention strategies on college campuses. The primary purpose of this program is to support a comprehensive, public health, and evidence-based approach to improving behavioral health outcomes among college students. The grant aims to increase access to mental health and substance use services, reduce suicide rates and attempts, promote help-seeking behaviors, and improve identification and treatment of at-risk students. Institutions are expected to implement strategies that address the full continuum of prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery support services, while also reducing stigma and strengthening protective factors among student populations. Funding under this program is structured to support capacity building rather than direct service expansion alone. Awardees may receive up to 125000 dollars per year for a project period of up to four years, with total funding dependent on annual continuation approvals. Funds must be used for allowable activities such as needs assessments, behavioral health screenings, crisis response infrastructure, stakeholder collaboration, and evidence-based training programs. Certain restrictions apply, including prohibitions on food expenses and specific policy-aligned limitations on program activities. Matching funds are required on a one-to-one basis for most applicants, although this requirement is waived for minority-serving institutions and junior or community colleges. Eligible applicants are limited to accredited institutions of higher education, including public and private universities, historically black colleges and universities, and community colleges. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, establish key personnel including a project director, and commit to implementing all required program activities. These include conducting needs assessments, administering screenings, developing stakeholder collaboration plans, establishing crisis and referral networks, providing prevention services, delivering training, conducting outreach, and implementing strategies to reduce access to lethal means. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or eRA Commons and includes multiple components such as a project abstract, narrative, budget narrative, and supporting attachments. Applicants must adhere to strict formatting and page limits, and provide detailed responses aligned with merit review criteria. These criteria evaluate the population of focus, implementation approach, organizational capacity, and data collection plans. Additional requirements include submission of standard federal forms and documentation such as letters of commitment and project timelines. Applications are due by July 27, 2026, with awards expected by September 1, 2026, and project start dates anticipated on September 30, 2026. The program follows a competitive review process that includes eligibility screening, peer review, and final selection based on alignment with SAMHSA priorities and funding availability. Recipients must comply with federal regulations, reporting requirements, and performance measurement standards, including quarterly data reporting and annual progress reports. SAMHSA provides technical assistance, requires participation in at least one in-person meeting, and expects ongoing engagement with agency staff. The program emphasizes evidence-based practices, fiscal responsibility, and collaboration with community partners. Ultimately, this grant seeks to build sustainable campus infrastructures that effectively address mental health challenges and reduce suicide risk among college students nationwide.

Ensure strong alignment with SAMHSA strategic priorities and clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes evidence-based interventions and institutional capacity