Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education)

Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education) is a federal grant opportunity administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA is responsible for improving the quality and availability of treatment and rehabilitative services to reduce illness, death, disability, and cost to society resulting from substance abuse and mental illnesses. This funding opportunity is part of SAMHSA’s broader efforts to support behavioral health systems nationwide, particularly those serving youth and school communities. The primary purpose of Project AWARE is to develop and strengthen sustainable infrastructure for school-based mental health programs and services. The initiative focuses on improving access to mental health care for school-aged youth by building coordinated systems that integrate education and behavioral health resources. Applicants are expected to establish and enhance partnerships among key stakeholders, including State Education Agencies, Local Education Agencies, Tribal Education Agencies, State Mental Health Agencies, community-based behavioral health providers, school personnel, families, and youth themselves. Funding under this program is intended to support the development of collaborative frameworks that expand mental health awareness, early identification, and intervention services in educational settings. While specific allowable costs are not detailed in the forecast, typical SAMHSA infrastructure grants support activities such as workforce development, program coordination, service delivery expansion, and community engagement. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this opportunity, which reduces financial barriers for eligible applicants. Eligibility for this grant is limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities. This includes a broad range of organizations such as nonprofit service providers, educational institutions, and other qualifying nonprofit entities that can demonstrate the capacity to lead or coordinate multi-sector partnerships. The emphasis on collaboration suggests that applicants must be capable of convening diverse stakeholders and managing complex program structures that span multiple systems. The application process is not yet open, as this is a forecasted opportunity. The estimated posting date is May 29, 2026, after which full application instructions, required forms, and submission procedures will be released. Applicants should anticipate a standard federal grant submission process through Grants.gov, including registration requirements, submission of detailed project narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation. Specific evaluation criteria and application components will be provided in the full funding announcement. The total estimated program funding is $55,254,593, with approximately 36 awards expected to be issued. Individual award amounts, project start dates, and application deadlines have not yet been specified. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor the opportunity for updates and prepare in advance by establishing partnerships and aligning proposed activities with the program’s goals. For additional information, applicants may contact Nancy Kelly at SAMHSA via phone at (240) 276-1143 or by email at SEA_AWARE@samhsa.hhs.gov.