First Responders-Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act
🏛 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis (HHS-SAMHS-SAMHSA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for first responders and organizations that serve first responders seeking comprehensive addiction treatment and recovery support. Eligible applicants typically include nonprofit organizations, state and local government agencies, tribal organizations, and healthcare providers that can demonstrate capacity to provide evidence-based substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and recovery support for first responder populations. Geographic scope is national, though applicants must clearly identify the first responder communities they will serve. Supported activities include treatment services, peer recovery support, mental health care integration, training for first responder personnel on addiction and recovery, and system coordination efforts to improve access to care within first responder populations.
Program description
The purpose of the FR-CARA program is to train first responders and communities in administering and distributing FDA-approved opioid overdose reversal medications.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Community Health Center
- Mental Health Clinic
- State Government
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing program design, target population, evidence-based practices, and evaluation plan
- Detailed budget and budget narrative justifying all costs
- Letters of support from first responder agencies and key partners
- Organizational capacity documentation (financial statements, audit reports, staff resumes)
- Evidence of nonprofit status (501(c)(3) documentation) or government agency authorization
- Evaluation plan with outcome measures specific to first responder populations
- Data demonstrating need in the target geographic area
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Shannon Hastings
- 📧 DTP-NOFO@samhsa.hhs.gov
- 📞 202-961-8620
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 93.490 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.490). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2026 est. | $545,000,000 |
FAQ
Who qualifies as a first responder for this grant?
First responders typically include law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical services personnel, and related public safety workers. Some programs may also include 911 dispatchers and correctional officers depending on program guidance.
What types of organizations can apply?
Eligible applicants generally include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, state and local government agencies, tribal nations, federally qualified health centers, and public universities. Check the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for specific eligibility requirements.
What are the main activities this grant supports?
The grant supports substance abuse treatment, co-occurring mental health services, peer recovery support programs, training and technical assistance for first responders, and coordination of care systems to improve access to treatment.
How competitive is this funding?
SAMHSA grants are moderately to highly competitive. Success typically requires strong evidence-based programs, demonstrated need data, organizational capacity documentation, and letters of support from first responder organizations and treatment partners.
What is the typical funding range?
SAMHSA grants vary widely, but substance abuse treatment and recovery grants typically range from $100,000 to $500,000+ annually depending on the specific program and geographic scope.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish partnerships with local first responder agencies (police, fire, EMS) early and secure letters of support demonstrating their commitment to the program and willingness to refer clients.
- Use current data on substance abuse and mental health prevalence among first responders in your target area to demonstrate need and justify the program approach.
- Clearly articulate how your program addresses the unique stigma, occupational stress, and workplace culture barriers that first responders face in seeking treatment.
- Develop a detailed evaluation plan that tracks outcomes specific to first responder populations (e.g., treatment engagement, retention, return to duty rates) and uses validated assessment tools.
- Budget realistically for peer recovery specialists who have first responder backgrounds, as these staff are critical for program credibility and effectiveness but command higher salaries.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications often fail by underestimating the complexity of serving first responders without building in sufficient cultural competency training or peer recovery specialist staff. Another common pitfall is providing generic substance abuse treatment plans rather than tailored programs addressing first responder-specific stressors, occupational health risks, and return-to-duty protocols. Finally, weak partnerships with actual first responder agencies—or lack of documented buy-in from police and fire leadership—significantly weakens competitiveness.
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