FY 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending Projects

The FY Congressionally Directed Spending Projects funding opportunity is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads national efforts to improve behavioral health outcomes. This program stems directly from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which allocates funding to specifically named projects and organizations identified by Congress. The initiative supports SAMHSA’s broader mission to address mental illness, prevent substance misuse, expand access to treatment, and promote recovery across communities. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide federal financial assistance to organizations that have already been designated by Congress to receive funding for specific behavioral health projects. These projects span a wide range of activities, including mental health services, substance use prevention and treatment programs, crisis intervention systems, and recovery support services. The program is non-competitive, meaning only entities explicitly listed in the congressional appropriations documentation are eligible to apply, and each must submit a separate application for each awarded project. Funding amounts are predetermined and tied to individual projects as outlined in Appendix A of the notice. These amounts include both direct and indirect costs and must be used strictly in accordance with federal regulations, including 2 CFR Part 200 and the HHS Grants Policy Statement. The project period is one year, beginning September 30 and ending September 29 of the following year. Funds cannot be used for costs incurred prior to the award date or for activities that conflict with federal law, executive orders, or SAMHSA policy priorities. Certain restrictions apply, including limitations on food costs, prohibitions on funding harm reduction or discriminatory practices, and requirements that services align with evidence-based treatment approaches. Eligibility is limited to organizations named in the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the appropriations act. These may include nonprofit organizations, local governments, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and other entities, but only if they are specifically listed. The program requires identification of a Project Director responsible for oversight, and all personnel must be selected based on merit and qualifications. Applicants must also comply with all federal anti-discrimination laws and maintain proper financial management systems. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or eRA Commons and includes several components such as a project abstract, project narrative, budget narrative, and multiple required attachments. These attachments may include letters of commitment, data collection tools, project timelines, and staff qualifications. Applicants must also complete standard federal forms such as the SF-424 series. The project narrative is limited to five pages and must address specific evaluation criteria, including project need, goals, population served, and organizational capacity. Applications are reviewed for consistency with the congressional intent and alignment with SAMHSA priorities. While the process is non-competitive, incomplete or unclear submissions may delay awards or result in additional conditions. The application deadline is July 13, with awards expected by September 1 and project start dates at the end of September. Following award, recipients must comply with reporting requirements, including submission of final progress and financial reports within 120 days after the project period ends. Agency contacts are provided for programmatic, financial, and submission-related inquiries, including specific contacts for substance use treatment, prevention, and mental health services. These contacts ensure applicants can receive guidance throughout the process. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a structured mechanism to distribute congressionally mandated funds to advance national behavioral health priorities through targeted, pre-approved projects.

Ensure strict alignment with the congressional project description and SAMHSA priorities; provide clear, complete responses to evaluation criteria; avoid including unrequested materials; ensure all forms and attachments are complete and validated before submission