National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative - Treatment and Service Adaptation

The National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative – Treatment and Service Adaptation (NCTSI Category II) grant, managed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports efforts to improve treatment and service responses for children and adolescents who have experienced traumatic events. SAMHSA has long prioritized mental health and trauma-informed care, particularly in youth populations impacted by abuse, neglect, violence, and disasters. The NCTSI program plays a central role in fostering innovation, adaptation, and dissemination of evidence-based treatments across communities and systems. The Category II component of the NCTSI is designed to fund centers that serve as national experts on specific traumatic experiences, population groups, or service systems. These centers are responsible for the development, refinement, and adaptation of effective evidence-based treatment protocols. They also work to increase national access to high-quality trauma services through training, dissemination of resources, and collaborations with service providers and other NCTSI network members. Eligible applicants include domestic public and private nonprofit entities. This broad eligibility allows a wide range of institutions, including universities, hospitals, mental health clinics, and nonprofit organizations with relevant experience, to apply. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to deliver trauma-informed services and collaborate within the NCTSI framework. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this opportunity. The grant program expects to make approximately 24 awards, with a total estimated funding of $14.4 million. Specific award ceilings and floors have not been disclosed in the forecast, and interested applicants should monitor for updates to the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which is expected to be released by February 27, 2026. Once available, this document will provide comprehensive guidance on application components and evaluation criteria. As of now, there is no confirmed due date for applications, and the projected start date for awarded projects has not been specified. Given that this is a forecasted opportunity, the application period has not yet opened, and all potential applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance by reviewing past NOFOs for similar programs and ensuring organizational readiness. The program is expected to recur annually, suggesting that opportunities will continue in subsequent fiscal years. For more information, applicants may contact Jennifer Isely at SAMHSA by phone at (240) 276-2563 or via email at jennifer.isely@samhsa.hhs.gov. All final details, including submission instructions and performance period parameters, will be confirmed in the official NOFO release.