Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment

The Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) program is a grant opportunity offered through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a sub-agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. SAMHSA is dedicated to advancing the behavioral health of the nation and providing funding that supports innovative, evidence-based interventions across communities in the United States. The SBIRT model has been a cornerstone of public health efforts to identify and intervene early in substance use behaviors before they become more severe and entrenched. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the implementation of the SBIRT model for children, adolescents, and/or adults in primary care and community health environments. These may include health centers, hospitals, managed care organizations (HMOs and PPOs), behavioral health facilities, pediatric care offices, and even school-based settings. The program focuses on early screening and intervention for underage drinking, opioid use, and other substance use issues, providing a structured mechanism for screening, brief counseling or interventions, and referral to treatment when needed. This grant will support up to eight projects nationwide with an estimated total program funding of $7,960,000. Although individual award ceilings and floors are not yet specified, the program is discretionary in nature and targeted at public health infrastructure at the local, tribal, and state levels. Eligible applicants include states, political subdivisions of states, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, health facilities, programs operating under contracts or awards from the Indian Health Service, and domestic public or private nonprofit entities. Faith-based organizations are also explicitly included. The program does not require cost-sharing or matching contributions from applicants. While the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has not yet been published, the estimated post date is May 1, 2026. Submission deadlines, award notifications, and project start dates have not yet been provided. As this is a forecasted opportunity, potential applicants should monitor for updates and prepare their infrastructure for rapid response once the full NOFO is released. Applications will likely need to be submitted through the standard federal grants systems, such as Grants.gov or SAMHSA’s own submission portal. Typical application packages include a project narrative, budget justifications, letters of support, and proof of eligibility, although exact components will be confirmed in the final NOFO. The anticipated evaluation criteria are likely to emphasize public health impact, capacity for implementation, population served, and the strength of referral partnerships. Interested applicants should direct their questions to Shaquilla Terry at SAMHSA, available by phone at 240-276-0362 or via email at [email protected]. Organizations are encouraged to begin preparatory efforts early, including internal planning and staff readiness, especially those that have not previously implemented SBIRT or similar public health intervention models.