National Center for Child Traumatic Stress - Category 1

The National Center for Child Traumatic Stress - Category 1 is a forecasted federal grant opportunity funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This funding opportunity aims to support the establishment or continued operation of the central coordinating body for the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative (NCTSI). The NCTSI is a nationwide network of centers that work collectively to improve the quality, effectiveness, and availability of therapeutic services and interventions for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. The Category 1 grantee serves as the national coordinating center, providing leadership, support, and guidance to the broader network. The primary purpose of this grant is to enhance the nationwide capacity to address child and adolescent trauma through evidence-based interventions and cross-sector collaboration. The national coordinating center is expected to lead network-wide strategic planning, support knowledge dissemination, and facilitate the standardization and improvement of trauma-informed services. This central role includes convening stakeholders, managing network communications, and overseeing national data collection and evaluation efforts. In addition, the center will guide policy development and implementation related to child traumatic stress and ensure that diverse communities and service systems benefit from culturally competent and developmentally appropriate care. The scope of the work under this cooperative agreement is significant and includes coordination of the NCTSI's grantee network, training and technical assistance, national resource development, and data collection. The center will be responsible for managing and analyzing data collected across the network and for producing reports that inform both policy and practice. While the exact project start and award dates have not yet been specified, the forecasted funding amount for the program is $8 million, with a single award expected to be made. The assistance will be delivered via a cooperative agreement, emphasizing close collaboration between SAMHSA and the grantee in implementing the initiative’s objectives. Applicants must be domestic public or private nonprofit entities. No matching or cost sharing is required. Eligible organizations may include community-based nonprofits, universities, health care systems, and other nonprofit service providers with demonstrated experience in child trauma services and systems-level coordination. The grant opportunity does not explicitly list required pre-application materials or deadlines; however, applicants are advised to monitor Grants.gov for the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which will detail submission components, evaluation criteria, and any necessary preliminary steps. As a forecasted opportunity, the expected post date is April 1, 2026. Applicants should prepare in advance by assembling necessary documentation, evidence of eligibility, and internal readiness for application submission. Because the opportunity is expected to recur annually, organizations that are not yet prepared may have future chances to apply. The status of this opportunity is "Forecasted," with applications not yet being accepted. There is no rolling deadline indicated, and no application due date has been published as of this analysis. For more information or questions, applicants can contact Raphaelle Richardson at (240) 276-1137 or via email at [email protected]. As a federal initiative with national scope, this program plays a central role in advancing trauma-informed care for children and families in the United States.