Grants to Expand Substance Use Disorder Treatment Capacity in Adult and Family Treatment Drug Courts

The Grants to Expand Substance Use Disorder Treatment Capacity in Adult and Family Treatment Drug Courts 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 integration of substance use disorder treatment services within existing drug court systems. SAMHSA’s broader mission focuses on reducing the impact of substance abuse and mental illness across communities, and this program aligns with that mission by targeting justice-involved individuals who experience substance use disorders and are at risk of recidivism and continued system involvement. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to expand access to evidence-based substance use disorder treatment and recovery support services in operational drug courts. The program requires applicants to implement a coordinated, multisystem approach that integrates judicial oversight with clinical treatment, recovery services, and community-based support. The initiative supports several types of drug courts, including adult treatment drug courts, family treatment drug courts, and tribal healing to wellness courts. The overarching objectives include reducing recidivism, preventing overdose, and increasing sustained recovery outcomes among participants. Funding under this program is structured as discretionary grants with an estimated total program funding of $7.6 million. Individual awards may be up to $400,000 per year for a project period of up to five years. Funds are primarily intended to support direct service delivery, including screening and assessment, medication-assisted treatment, recovery support services, and overdose prevention interventions. Applicants must ensure that all funded activities align with federal regulations and program priorities, including restrictions on certain types of programming such as harm reduction approaches or activities inconsistent with federal policy guidelines. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad and includes states, local governments, tribal entities, nonprofit organizations, and certain health facilities. However, applicants must demonstrate that they are working with an operational drug court that was active on or before April 1, 2026. Organizations must also provide evidence of experience, proper licensure, and formal partnerships through letters of commitment. Notably, entities that received funding under similar SAMHSA programs in recent fiscal years are not eligible to apply, which encourages broader distribution of funding to new applicants. The application process involves submission through federal systems such as Grants.gov and eRA Commons, requiring completion of standard federal forms, a project narrative, budget narrative, and multiple attachments. Applicants must detail their proposed implementation strategy, including service delivery plans, staffing, partnerships, and evaluation methods. The review process includes both an initial eligibility screening and a merit-based peer review that evaluates factors such as population need, implementation approach, evidence-based practices, organizational capacity, and data collection strategies. Key timeline elements include an application deadline of July 16, 2026, with the additional constraint that only the first 50 complete and high-quality applications will be reviewed. Awards are expected to be issued by September 1, 2026, with project start dates anticipated for September 30, 2026. Applicants must be prepared to begin service delivery within four months of award. Ongoing reporting requirements include regular performance data submission and progress reports to ensure accountability and alignment with program goals. SAMHSA provides multiple contact points for applicants, including programmatic, financial, and review-related inquiries, ensuring that applicants have access to guidance throughout the process. Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant federal investment in strengthening the intersection of behavioral health and the justice system, with an emphasis on evidence-based interventions, cross-system collaboration, and measurable outcomes in recovery and public safety.

Ensure strong alignment with evidence-based practices; clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes; prioritize coordination with drug courts and partners; meet all attachment and documentation requirements; submit early due to 50-application cap