National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative - Treatment and Service Adaptation (TSA) Centers

The National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative Category II Treatment and Service Adaptation Centers program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This federal funding opportunity is designed to strengthen the national infrastructure for addressing childhood trauma by supporting specialized centers that provide expertise, training, and adaptation of evidence based treatment models. The initiative operates under the broader National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative framework, which includes multiple categories of grants working collaboratively to improve trauma informed care across the United States. The purpose of this program is to create and operate Category II Treatment and Service Adaptation Centers that focus on specific trauma types, populations, or service systems. These centers are expected to develop, refine, and adapt evidence based or evidence informed treatment models that address gaps in care for children, youth, and families affected by trauma. The program emphasizes increasing access to trauma informed services, improving the quality of care, and ensuring that treatment approaches reflect the lived experiences of diverse populations. Awardees must also provide training, consultation, and technical assistance to other entities within the initiative and broader service systems. Funding for this opportunity is substantial, with an estimated total program funding of fourteen million four hundred thousand dollars and approximately twenty four awards expected. Each award may provide up to six hundred thousand dollars per year for a project period of up to five years. Funds must primarily be used for capacity building activities that enhance the ability of organizations and systems to implement and sustain effective trauma treatment approaches. There are explicit restrictions on the use of funds, including prohibitions on certain activities that conflict with federal policies, as well as limitations such as the unallowable use of funds for food expenses. Eligible applicants include domestic public and private nonprofit entities, including state and local governments, tribal organizations, health facilities, and nonprofit organizations such as faith based entities. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, relevant expertise in childhood trauma, and the ability to carry out required program activities. Certain previously funded organizations under a prior funding cycle are not eligible to apply. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required for this program. The application process requires submission through federal systems including SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eRA Commons. Applicants must prepare a comprehensive application that includes a project abstract, project narrative, budget narrative, and multiple attachments such as timelines, biographical sketches, and documentation of nonprofit status. The project narrative is limited to ten pages and must address specific evaluation criteria including need, implementation approach, organizational capacity, and data collection strategies. Applications are subject to initial screening and a merit based peer review process. Key dates include an application deadline of July 15, 2026, with an important limitation that only the first fifty complete and high quality applications submitted will be reviewed. The expected award date is September 1, 2026, with project start anticipated by September 30, 2026. Awardees must begin implementation within three months of the award and comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including annual programmatic progress reports and a final report at the end of the five year period. Evaluation criteria focus on the applicant’s ability to address identified service gaps, implement required activities, align with federal priorities, and demonstrate strong organizational capacity. Applicants must also outline plans for data collection, performance measurement, and evaluation to ensure continuous improvement and accountability. Contacts are provided for programmatic, financial, and review related inquiries, including dedicated email addresses and phone numbers for SAMHSA staff. The program is not explicitly described as recurring, and funding decisions are based on available appropriations and alignment with agency priorities.

Align proposal tightly with SAMHSA strategic priorities; ensure strong data collection and evaluation plan; strictly follow page limits and formatting requirements; submit early due to first 50 application cap