US Announces $281 Million in Grant Funding for Addiction and Mental Health Programs

On July 6, 2026, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced over $281 million in grant funding across 15 programs to address addiction, overdose, and mental illness. The investments support President Donald Trump's Great American Recovery Initiative, co-chaired by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Kathryn Burgum. Key allocations include $68.2 million for medication-assisted opioid treatment, $55.7 million for school-based mental health, and $34.7 million for first responder training.

SAMHSA grant funding announcement

• ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is a division within the United States Department of Health and Human Services
• ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced more than $281 million in grant funding opportunities across 15 programs on July 6, 2026

Great American Recovery Initiative

• ▪The Great American Recovery Initiative is co-chaired by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and White House Senior Advisor Kathryn Burgum
• ▪The $281 million in grant funding is designed to advance President Donald Trump's Great American Recovery Initiative

Opioid treatment programs

• ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration allocated $6 million for Emergency Department Alternatives to Opioids programs to establish non-pharmacological pain management practices
• ▪The largest single funding opportunity allocates $68.2 million for Medication-Assisted Treatment - Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction grants

Overdose prevention services

• ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration allocated $34.7 million for First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act grants to train communities in distributing opioid overdose reversal medications
• ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration allocated $11 million for Preventing Drug Overdoses: Community Prevention and Response grants to expand access to FDA-approved overdose reversal medications

School-based mental health

• ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration allocated $55.7 million for Project AWARE grants to develop sustainable infrastructures for school-based mental health programs
• ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration allocated $40.6 million for National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative grants to deliver trauma treatment for children and youth

Behavioral health workforce development

• ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration allocated $10.5 million for Treatment, Recovery and Workforce Support grants to help individuals in substance use disorder treatment participate in the workforce
• ▪The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration allocated $22 million for Mental Health Awareness Training grants to facilitate mental health awareness and literacy training