Emergency Department Alternatives to Opioids Program

The Emergency Department Alternatives to Opioids Program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, which operates under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA is a federal agency focused on improving behavioral health outcomes, preventing substance misuse, and supporting treatment and recovery nationwide. This funding opportunity is authorized under federal statute and is designed to address the ongoing opioid crisis by shifting clinical practices in hospital emergency departments toward safer and more sustainable pain management approaches. The purpose of this program is to support hospitals and emergency departments in establishing and implementing alternatives to pharmacological opioid interventions for pain management. The program aims to reduce reliance on opioids, lower the risk of misuse and overdose, and improve patient outcomes by expanding the use of evidence based non opioid treatments. In addition, the initiative emphasizes early identification of opioid use disorder and timely intervention, including referral to appropriate care and the integration of medications for opioid use disorder where clinically appropriate. Funding is provided through a competitive federal grant structure with an estimated total program funding of six million dollars and up to twelve awards expected. Each award may receive up to five hundred thousand dollars per year for a project period of up to three years. Funds are primarily intended for service delivery and must align with federal regulations, SAMHSA strategic priorities, and specific funding restrictions. Prohibited uses include activities that conflict with federal policy priorities, including harm reduction approaches as defined by the agency. Cost sharing is not required for this program. Eligibility is limited by statute to hospitals and emergency departments, including freestanding emergency departments and rural emergency hospitals. Priority consideration is given to applicants from geographic areas not currently funded under prior program cycles, and organizations that received funding under a prior specific NOFO are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate operational capacity, credentialed staff, and partnerships with service providers where applicable. All participating practitioners must meet licensing and certification requirements as of the application deadline. The application process requires submission through federal systems including SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. Applicants must prepare a project narrative, budget narrative, abstract, and multiple required attachments such as letters of commitment, timelines, and staffing documentation. The project narrative must address defined evaluation criteria including population need, implementation strategy, evidence based practices, organizational capacity, and data collection plans. Applications are subject to initial eligibility screening followed by merit review and final agency decision making. The application deadline is July 27, 2026, with awards expected by September 1, 2026 and project start anticipated by September 30, 2026. Recipients are required to begin service delivery within four months of award and must comply with ongoing reporting requirements including quarterly data collection and semi annual and annual performance reporting. The project period spans up to three years, during which recipients must demonstrate measurable progress, maintain compliance with federal regulations, and develop sustainability plans to continue services beyond the funding period.

Align proposal with evidence based practices and SAMHSA strategic priorities; clearly define measurable objectives and data collection methods; demonstrate organizational capacity and partnerships