Project AWARE (Advancing Wellness and Resiliency in Education)

The Project AWARE program, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a federal grant initiative designed to address the growing mental health and substance use challenges facing school-aged youth across the United States. SAMHSA, as a leading federal agency focused on behavioral health, advances national priorities related to mental health, substance use prevention, and recovery. This funding opportunity aligns with broader federal strategic priorities emphasizing prevention, evidence-based care, and improved access to behavioral health services for vulnerable populations, particularly children and adolescents in educational settings. The primary purpose of Project AWARE is to develop and implement a sustainable, comprehensive framework that promotes mental health awareness, prevents substance use, and supports early intervention for youth in kindergarten through grade twelve. The program emphasizes a three-tiered public health model consisting of universal prevention strategies, targeted interventions for at-risk youth, and individualized services for those with more intensive needs. Applicants are expected to build strong partnerships among educational agencies, mental health providers, community organizations, families, and youth to ensure coordinated service delivery and long-term sustainability. Funding under this program supports capacity-building activities rather than direct service expansion alone. Allowable uses include developing advisory boards, conducting needs assessments, establishing partnerships, implementing mental health literacy training, and creating referral systems that connect youth to appropriate services. Applicants must also develop strategic and sustainability plans, as well as evaluation frameworks to measure program effectiveness. Certain restrictions apply, including prohibitions on funding activities that conflict with federal policy priorities or that involve unallowable costs such as food or certain infrastructure expenditures. Eligible applicants include a broad range of domestic public and private nonprofit entities, including state and local education agencies, tribal organizations, political subdivisions, and nonprofit organizations, including faith-based entities. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to collaborate with key stakeholders and meet program requirements, including staffing key personnel such as a project director, local project managers, and an evaluator. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program, which lowers the barrier to entry for eligible organizations. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov or eRA Commons and includes several mandatory components such as a project narrative, budget narrative, and multiple supporting attachments. Applicants must follow a structured format and adhere to strict page limits for narrative sections. Required attachments include documentation of nonprofit status, letters of commitment from partners, a project timeline, and other compliance-related documents. Applications are evaluated through a merit-based review process that considers need, implementation approach, organizational capacity, and data collection plans. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is July 27, 2026, with awards expected to be announced by September 1, 2026, and project activities anticipated to begin by September 30, 2026. The program provides funding for up to five years, contingent upon performance and availability of funds. SAMHSA also requires ongoing reporting, including annual progress reports and performance data submissions through its reporting systems. Program contacts are available for eligibility, budget, and review questions, including dedicated email addresses and phone numbers for each inquiry type. Overall, Project AWARE represents a significant federal investment in youth mental health infrastructure within educational systems. By requiring comprehensive planning, cross-sector collaboration, and data-driven implementation, the program aims to create lasting improvements in how schools identify, prevent, and respond to behavioral health challenges among students. The program’s emphasis on sustainability ensures that funded initiatives continue to benefit communities beyond the grant period.

Align project with SAMHSA strategic priorities; demonstrate strong partnerships with education and behavioral health stakeholders; provide clear data collection and evaluation plans; ensure all required attachments are complete and compliant