The First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (FR-CARA) grant, funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is designed to address the escalating opioid overdose crisis across the United States. The FR-CARA program aims to empower first responders and community partners by providing them with the tools, training, and resources necessary to administer and distribute opioid overdose reversal medications (OORM). The overarching purpose is to mitigate overdose deaths through increased community capacity, effective partnerships, and evidence-based, trauma-informed approaches.
This funding opportunity is open to state governments, local governmental entities, and American Indian/Alaska Native tribes and tribal organizations. Specifically, it targets communities that have been disproportionately affected by substance misuse and overdose, including rural and tribal populations. The grant supports a wide range of initiatives, including training first responders and community anchors on OORM administration, safety protocols around emerging drug trends, and trauma-informed care strategies. Applicants must also implement support systems for individuals post-overdose, including warm hand-off referral protocols to treatment and recovery services.
Eligible applicants may receive between $300,000 and $800,000 per year, with a project period of up to four years. A total of approximately $10 million is available for FY 2025, with $5.5 million allocated to rural communities and $4.5 million to nonrural areas. SAMHSA expects to fund between 12 to 33 grantees, including at least two awards to tribal entities, contingent on sufficient application volume and quality. Funds may be used for required activities and also a range of allowable services such as peer support, case management, purchase and distribution of OORM and overdose-related supplies, and short-term initiation of medication-assisted treatment.
Applicants must submit a complete application by July 22, 2025, through Grants.gov or eRA ASSIST. Required components include a project narrative, budget narrative, abstract, and multiple attachments including letters of commitment, project timelines, biographical sketches, and certifications. All activities must align with current Executive Orders and SAMHSA’s core principles such as equity, data-driven strategies, and trauma-informed care. Key personnel, especially the Project Director, must be identified and approved by SAMHSA.
Applications are evaluated based on a set of criteria including population of focus, implementation approach, use of evidence-based practices, organizational capacity, and performance measurement plans. Quarterly performance data must be submitted using SAMHSA’s SPARS system. In addition, grantees must participate in SAMHSA-led evaluation activities and are required to submit annual and final programmatic progress reports. Contacts for questions include the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (dtp-nofo@samhsa.hhs.gov, 240-276-2905) and the Office of Financial Resources for budget inquiries (NOFOBudget.CSAT@samhsa.hhs.gov, 240-276-1400). Funding decisions are expected by September 29, 2025, with funded projects beginning on September 30, 2025.
