Cooperative Agreements for States and Territories to Improve Local 988 Capacity
🏛 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis (HHS-SAMHS-SAMHSA)
Can you apply?
This grant is for state and territorial governments seeking to expand and improve the capacity of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (now Behavioral Health Crisis Response System). Eligible applicants include state health departments, mental health agencies, and designated state coordinating bodies responsible for 988 implementation and administration. Applicants must demonstrate commitment to enhancing call-answer capacity, crisis response infrastructure, and coordination between crisis hotlines and community mental health services. Geographic scope includes all 50 states and U.S. territories. Funding supports infrastructure development, workforce training, technology improvements, and operational enhancements that strengthen the accessibility and effectiveness of crisis services at the state and local level.
Program description
The purpose of the 988 State and Territory Local Capacity Building program is to improve state and territory response to all 988 contacts (including calls, chats, and texts) originating in the state/territory and improve service for populations at high risk of suicide and overdose.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424 Supplement (Research & Related Other Project Information) or equivalent
- Project narrative/statement of need (typically 15-20 pages) describing current 988 capacity and proposed improvements
- Detailed budget and budget narrative (with justification for all line items)
- Letters of commitment/support from state mental health agency leadership, 988 center operators, and key partner organizations
- Work plan with timelines and milestones
- Evaluation plan with measurable performance metrics
- Organizational capacity documentation and organizational charts
- Indirect cost rate agreement (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 James Wright
- 📧 james.wright@samhsa.hhs.gov
- 📞 (240) 276-1615
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.00R from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$785,984,732
-
$254,582,876
-
$61,120,086
-
$34,124,159
-
$33,037,776
-
$24,434,512
-
$23,189,171
-
$16,214,442
-
$15,307,183
-
$15,255,277
Top States by Funding
- NY 3 awards $1,074.7M
- CA 3 awards $71.3M
- TX 2 awards $36.2M
- OK 7 awards $27.3M
- FL 1 awards $24.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.00R). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $466,000,000 | |
| 2025 | $479,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $479,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
State and territorial governments, specifically state mental health/behavioral health agencies and entities designated as state 988 coordinators. Typically, applications must be submitted by an official state agency with authority over crisis response services.
What is the deadline for submission?
The application opens December 29, 2025. A specific deadline date has not yet been announced; check Grants.gov regularly or contact SAMHSA for the exact submission deadline.
What activities does this grant support?
Funding supports activities that increase 988 call-answering capacity, improve crisis response coordination, enhance crisis counselor training and retention, implement technology upgrades, and strengthen partnerships between the crisis hotline and community mental health providers.
How competitive is this funding?
This is a highly competitive federal grant. States and territories nationwide compete for limited funds. Applications should include strong data on current 988 performance, documented capacity gaps, and a clear implementation plan with measurable outcomes.
What is the typical funding range?
Cooperative agreement awards vary widely depending on state size, current 988 infrastructure, and demonstrated need. Review prior year SAMHSA announcements for historical award amounts.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Establish a strong state-level coordination structure before applying: demonstrate that your state mental health agency, 988 administrator, and key crisis response partners are aligned and committed to the project.
- Use data strategically: include current 988 call volume, answer rate, average wait times, demographics of callers, and specific capacity gaps in your state to justify funding levels requested.
- Articulate how funds will address sustainability: reviewers look for plans to build lasting infrastructure and workforce capacity, not just one-time expenditures; include strategies for ongoing funding after the grant period.
- Connect to SAMHSA priorities: emphasize how your project advances equity, supports underserved populations (rural areas, communities of color, LGBTQ+ individuals), and integrates with broader behavioral health infrastructure.
- Include realistic timelines and measurable outcomes: develop a detailed implementation plan with quarterly or semi-annual milestones, specific targets for improved answer rates and response times, and a clear evaluation strategy.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Many applications fail because they lack concrete data on current 988 performance and do not clearly demonstrate the specific capacity gaps the grant will address. Another frequent pitfall is proposing activities that duplicate existing SAMHSA-funded 988 efforts or that are beyond the scope of state-level crisis response coordination. Finally, weak letters of support or failure to show genuine buy-in from local crisis centers, mental health providers, and state leadership often signals to reviewers that implementation will face organizational barriers.
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