Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention

The Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention program is a federal grant opportunity administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is part of a broader national effort to address mental health challenges among college populations and is aligned with federal priorities to reduce suicide rates and improve behavioral health outcomes. The initiative reflects longstanding federal investment in campus-based prevention strategies that integrate public health approaches with clinical and community-based interventions. The primary purpose of this program is to support institutions of higher education in developing and implementing comprehensive, evidence-based strategies to prevent suicide and improve mental health outcomes among college students. The program emphasizes enhancing behavioral health services for all students, particularly those at increased risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbances, and substance use disorders. In addition to prevention, the program seeks to promote early identification and intervention, improve access to treatment services, and foster environments that encourage help-seeking behavior while reducing stigma associated with mental health conditions. Funding under this opportunity is intended to support a wide range of allowable activities, including campus-wide mental health promotion initiatives, training for faculty and staff to recognize warning signs, development of crisis response protocols, and expansion of counseling and support services. Programs may also include peer support systems, outreach campaigns, and partnerships with local health providers. While specific funding ceilings and floors are not provided in the forecast, the total estimated program funding is over eight million dollars distributed across approximately seventy awards, indicating relatively modest individual award sizes designed to reach a broad number of institutions. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies to this program; however, an important exception is made for minority-serving institutions and community colleges, for which the matching requirement is waived. This provision reflects a policy priority to ensure equitable access to federal funding and to support institutions that may have fewer financial resources. Applicants must carefully review final solicitation documents upon release to determine the exact matching expectations and allowable contributions. Eligibility for this program is statutorily limited to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education. This includes a wide range of accredited colleges and universities across the United States. The program is designed to support campus-based systems, and therefore eligibility does not extend to individuals, for-profit entities, or non-educational organizations as primary applicants. However, institutions may collaborate with external partners to implement program activities, provided the lead applicant meets eligibility requirements. As a forecasted opportunity, the program is expected to be officially posted in late May 2026, with application deadlines and additional submission requirements to be announced at that time. Applicants should anticipate a standard federal grant application process, likely requiring submission through Grants.gov, including detailed project narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation. Contact for the program is provided through SAMHSA, with a designated program officer available to respond to inquiries. Institutions are encouraged to begin preparation early, particularly in assembling cross-campus partnerships and reviewing evidence-based intervention models, to ensure readiness once the full notice of funding opportunity is released.