Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention

The Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention grant program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA is responsible for leading public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation and reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on America's communities. This specific funding opportunity focuses on addressing the critical issue of suicide prevention among college students across the United States. The program is designed to support a comprehensive public health and evidence-based strategy to enhance behavioral health services for college students, particularly those at risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness (SMI), serious emotional disturbances (SED), or substance use disorders that may contribute to school failure. The initiative aims to prevent and reduce suicide and related disorders, foster help-seeking behaviors, diminish stigma associated with mental health issues, and enhance early identification and effective treatment of at-risk students to support their academic persistence and success. Eligibility for this opportunity is statutorily restricted to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher education. The program places special emphasis on minority-serving institutions and community colleges, for which cost-sharing requirements are waived. A total of approximately $6.87 million is expected to be available, with up to 54 awards projected, though no specific floor or ceiling per award has been announced at this forecast stage. The grant program is discretionary in nature and falls under CFDA number 93.243—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance. This funding opportunity is expected to be posted by March 16, 2026, and will have further application deadlines and award start dates subsequently detailed. Institutions intending to apply should monitor Grants.gov or SAMHSA’s announcements for the release of the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Key contact for the grant is Portland Ridley, who can be reached at (240) 276-1848 or via email at portland.ridley@samhsa.hhs.gov. Institutions planning to apply are advised to begin early preparations to align with the expected post date and consider internal coordination for any matching contributions if not exempt. Once the NOFO is released, detailed submission steps, required forms, and evaluation criteria will be made available. Applicants should be ready to demonstrate the impact, scalability, and evidence base of their proposed interventions.