Eligibility is limited to domestic public and private non-profit entities, tribes, and Urban Indian organizations that are mental health consumer-operated organizations for at least two years and are not operating under the umbrella of another organization. To expand the impact of this program and ensure broad geographic distribution, SAMHSA will make only one award per state, territory, or tribe. At least 3 awards will be made to tribes/tribal organizations pending sufficient application volume from these groups.

SAMHSA is limiting eligibility to mental health consumer-operated organizations to strengthen the capacity of individuals with serious mental illness to improve efforts to address their needs, including enhancing access to and quality of mental health services. Only organizations that are operated and managed by mental health consumers are eligible applicants.

Applicants must submit a signed Certificate of Eligibility (refer to Appendix L) and supporting documentation in Attachment 4. The Certificate of Eligibility attests that the organization meets the requirements of a consumer-operated organization.

Since only one award is made per state, territory, or tribe, organizations within the following states are not eligible to apply as they received funding under SM-19-002 (Statewide Consumer Network): Alaska, California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, and North Carolina.