Technical Assistance Center for Mental Health Peer-Led Organizations

The Technical Assistance Center for Mental Health Peer-Led Organizations opportunity is a forecasted federal grant program administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The opportunity is listed under Assistance Listing 93.532, Center for Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance. The program is designed to strengthen the operational and service-delivery capacity of mental health peer-run organizations that support adults living with serious mental illness. SAMHSA identifies peer-run organizations as entities that are primarily led and staffed by individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges, commonly referred to as peers. The opportunity reflects SAMHSA's broader commitment to expanding recovery-oriented behavioral health services and increasing peer support infrastructure nationwide. The primary purpose of the program is to provide training and technical assistance that enhances the effectiveness, sustainability, and organizational capacity of peer-run organizations. These organizations often provide support services, advocacy, education, wellness programming, and recovery-oriented services to individuals with serious mental illness. Through this funding, the selected recipient is expected to develop and deliver technical assistance strategies that improve operational systems, workforce capacity, leadership development, organizational governance, and service quality among peer-led organizations. The grant is intended to strengthen the broader mental health recovery ecosystem by ensuring peer-run organizations have access to professional support, evidence-informed organizational practices, and sustainable infrastructure. The funding opportunity is categorized as discretionary and falls within the Health category of federal assistance. SAMHSA anticipates making one award under this funding announcement, with an estimated total program funding amount of $1,796,348. The opportunity forecast does not currently specify an award ceiling or award floor. The forecast also does not identify a required cost-sharing or matching component, and the notice explicitly indicates that there is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this program. Because the opportunity is still in forecast status, additional details related to allowable expenses, indirect costs, project periods, reporting requirements, and evaluation criteria may be released in the final notice of funding opportunity when posted. Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities. The announcement specifically identifies nonprofit entities as eligible applicants and indicates that additional details may be provided in the formal solicitation release. The language suggests that organizations must operate within the United States and maintain nonprofit status to qualify for funding consideration. The opportunity appears intended for organizations with demonstrated expertise in peer-led mental health support services and organizational development. Since the funding is focused on technical assistance to peer-run organizations, applicants will likely need to demonstrate familiarity with peer support models, recovery-oriented systems of care, and capacity-building methodologies. The current posting is a forecast notice rather than an open solicitation. The forecasted opportunity was originally dated December 10, 2025, and the most recent update occurred on May 12, 2026. SAMHSA estimates that the official application posting date will occur on May 29, 2026. At the time of this forecast publication, no official application due date, award date, or project start date has been released. Because the opportunity has not yet formally opened, applicants are presently in an early engagement stage where organizations may begin preparing organizational materials, monitoring Grants.gov for the official posting, and reviewing anticipated eligibility and program requirements. No letters of intent, concept papers, or pre-application requirements are identified in the forecast notice. The opportunity does not currently provide detailed application submission instructions, required forms, or evaluation scoring criteria. However, applicants should anticipate a standard SAMHSA federal grant application process once the formal notice is released. This may include submission through Grants.gov, completion of federal forms, narrative project descriptions, budget documentation, organizational information, and compliance certifications. Organizations interested in the opportunity may contact Eric Weakly for additional information using the listed program contact information. The contact phone number provided is (240) 276-1303, and the official program email address is CTACresourcemailbox@samhsa.hhs.gov. Since this is a forecasted federal opportunity and SAMHSA programs are frequently recurring in nature, organizations that support peer-led behavioral health systems may wish to monitor future funding cycles and agency updates related to peer-run organizational capacity building.

Emphasize demonstrated experience supporting peer-run organizations led by individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges and showcase organizational capacity-building expertise.