Cooperative Agreements for States and Territories to Improve Local 988 Capacity

The FY2026 Cooperative Agreements for States and Territories to Improve Local 988 Capacity program, administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), aims to enhance the effectiveness and responsiveness of local systems handling 988 contacts, which include calls, chats, and texts. This initiative is part of a broader federal strategy to strengthen mental health crisis response infrastructure across the United States and its territories. SAMHSA, under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, serves as the nation’s lead public health agency for improving access to mental health and substance use disorder services. The primary objective of this program is to assist states and territories in expanding and optimizing their local 988 crisis response capabilities. The 988 system is a national lifeline that provides individuals in mental health distress with immediate access to support. By funding government agencies at the state and territorial level, this cooperative agreement is designed to build local capacity, reduce response times, and ensure that 988 contacts originating from a specific state or territory are answered in a timely and efficient manner within that jurisdiction. The program is expected to distribute a total of $211.1 million in funding, with awards anticipated for each of the 56 U.S. states and territories, including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Only one award will be made per eligible applicant per jurisdiction, with SAMHSA selecting the highest priority application in cases of multiple submissions. Although the precise ceiling and floor for individual awards have not been specified, the significant total funding and fixed number of awards imply substantial financial support per grantee. No cost sharing or matching funds are required to participate in this opportunity. The cooperative agreement model emphasizes close collaboration between SAMHSA and awardees, providing not only funding but also technical assistance and oversight throughout the program’s implementation. The funding is authorized under Assistance Listing 93.243, which covers Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Projects of Regional and National Significance. As of the forecast date, December 29, 2025, this grant opportunity is in its early engagement stage. The estimated post date for the full application package is February 17, 2026, though no specific application opening or due date has yet been released. Award and project start dates are also currently unlisted, but this information is expected to be clarified in the full funding announcement. Eligible applicants are strictly limited to state and territorial government agencies as named, and the program will not consider other entities. Interested applicants should monitor Grants.gov or SAMHSA’s funding announcements for the forthcoming Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and submission instructions. For further details or technical questions, applicants may contact James Wright at SAMHSA by phone at (240) 276-1615 or via email at [email protected].