CFDA 93.243: Substance Use and Mental Health Services — Projects of Regional and National Significance
Discretionary grants supporting time-limited, research-grounded projects that address gaps in mental health and substance use services. The single most-applied-to SAMHSA assistance listing.
What this CFDA funds
Discretionary grants for prevention, treatment, recovery support, and workforce development in behavioral health. Specific funding focuses cycle annually based on SAMHSA priorities — recent cycles have emphasized opioid response (RCORP, SOR), youth mental health, peer recovery, and workforce expansion in underserved communities. Most awards are 3-5 year cooperative agreements with annual continuation contingent on performance.
What winning applicants look like
Mid-sized 501(c)(3)s with 3-10 years of behavioral-health service delivery, FQHCs, and university medical centers tend to win. CARF or Joint Commission accreditation is a strong differentiator. Tribal organizations fare well in tribal-set-aside competitions. Coalition applications (lead applicant + 2-4 LOC partners) score higher than solo applications.
Common pitfalls + things to know
SAMHSA RFA NOFOs are dense and prescriptive — section length limits, specific evaluation plan formats, and required staff effort percentages. Letters of Commitment from clinical partners need to be specific (not generic 'we support'). Indirect costs are typically capped at the org's federally-negotiated rate or 10% MTDC.
Related CFDAs to also explore
- CFDA 93.788 — Opioid Affected Youth and Families Initiative
- CFDA 93.359 — Nurse Education, Practice, Quality & Retention (NEPQR)
- CFDA 93.310 — Trans-NIH Research Support
Audiences who use this CFDA
If you fall into one of these audience groups, the audience guide gives you the broader picture of all federal funding streams you qualify for — not just CFDA 93.243.
Always verify in the official source. CFDA program details, eligibility, and award ranges change with each annual NOFO cycle. Confirm at sam.gov/content/assistance-listings or the agency's program office before you build an application strategy. This page is editorial reference, not an official agency notice.