Description

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) and the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 Historically Black Colleges and Universities Center for Excellence in Behavioral Health (HBCU-CFE).  The purpose of this program is to recruit students to careers in the behavioral health field to address mental and substance use disorders, provide training that can lead to careers in the behavioral health field, and/or prepare students for obtaining advanced degrees in the behavioral health field.  The HBCU-CFE activities should emphasize education, awareness, and preparation for careers in mental and substance use disorder treatment including addressing opioid use disorder treatment, serious mental illness (SMI) (including First Episode Psychosis (FEP)), and suicide prevention. 
 
Applicants must emphasize:  (a) strategies for developing student interest in the behavioral health field; (b) training (both classroom and experiential) that will lead to employment or advanced study in the behavioral health field, including internships, exposure to practicing professionals and other outside the classroom learning opportunities; (c) curricula enhancement and professional training for HBCU students, such as the development of courses or certificate programs on behavioral health topics (this shall include employment opportunity and salary information on the tremendous current and future need and demand for professionals in this rewarding field); and (d) infusion of information about behavioral health in related courses of study (e.g., pre-med, pre-dentistry, nursing, social work, psychology, addiction, school counseling, counseling).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are the nationally recognized HBCUs or a consortium of HBCUs with a lead college/university as the applicant.  The recipient of the award will be the entity legally responsible for satisfying the grant requirements.

For a complete list of HBCUs please visit the following website:  https://nces.ed.gov/COLLEGENAVIGATOR/?s=all&sp=4&pg=1.

Award Information

Funding Mechanism: Grant

Anticipated Total Available Funding: $500,000

Anticipated Number of Awards: One award

Anticipated Award Amount: Up to $500,000 per year

Length of Project: Up to 5 years

Cost Sharing/Match Required?: No

Proposed budgets cannot exceed $500,000 in total costs (direct and indirect) in any year of the proposed project.  Annual continuation awards will depend on the availability of funds, recipient progress in meeting project goals and objectives, timely submission of required data and reports, and compliance with all terms and conditions of award.

Funding estimates for this announcement are based on an annualized Continuing Resolution and do not reflect the final FY 2018 appropriation.  Applicants should be aware that funding amounts are subject to the availability of funds.