Opportunity Information: Apply for SM 26 016
The Cooperative Agreements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grants (Funding Opportunity Number SM 26 016) is a discretionary federal health funding opportunity from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) designed to help states get ready to participate in the Section 223 CCBHC Demonstration program. The core aim is not to fund direct long-term service delivery right away, but to support the state-level planning work required to build the systems and payment structures that make a CCBHC model workable and sustainable. In practical terms, the grant is meant to help states lay the groundwork so that certified clinics can deliver a comprehensive set of behavioral health services and be reimbursed appropriately through Medicaid.
A central focus of these planning grants is the development and implementation of a state certification system for CCBHCs. That means states are expected to create, refine, or operationalize the standards and processes that behavioral health clinics must meet to be recognized as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. This kind of certification framework typically involves defining required services, staffing and workforce expectations, quality and reporting requirements, governance and coordination expectations, and procedures for oversight, monitoring, and re-certification. The planning grant supports states in doing the detailed policy, stakeholder, and administrative work needed to make certification real and enforceable rather than just a concept on paper.
Another major deliverable is establishing a Prospective Payment System (PPS) for Medicaid-reimbursable behavioral health services delivered by CCBHCs. PPS refers to a structured payment methodology where clinics are paid based on a predetermined rate rather than simple fee-for-service billing for every individual activity. In the CCBHC context, PPS is intended to better support the full scope of required services (including care coordination and other elements that may be difficult to finance under traditional reimbursement) while also creating clearer expectations for costs, reporting, and accountability. The planning grant is meant to help states design or adapt the PPS approach so it aligns with Medicaid rules, the state’s service system, and the operational realities of community behavioral health providers.
The opportunity also explicitly supports states in preparing a strong application to participate in the four-year Section 223 CCBHC Demonstration program. That application preparation typically requires a state to show it has the certification infrastructure, payment methodology, readiness planning, and stakeholder engagement needed to launch and manage a demonstration of this size. The planning grant is therefore positioned as a bridge between interest in the CCBHC model and the operational readiness needed to compete for and successfully implement the demonstration.
Eligibility for this opportunity is narrow and set by statute. Only State Mental Health Authorities (SMHAs), Single State Agencies (SSAs), State Medicaid Agencies (SMAs), and the District of Columbia may apply. This reflects the fact that the work involves statewide policy and Medicaid payment design, which generally sits with state-level agencies rather than local providers, universities, or nonprofit organizations. The CFDA number associated with the program is 93.829, and the funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project period (for example, more ongoing coordination, technical assistance expectations, or federal collaboration compared with a standard grant).
From the published opportunity details, SAMHSA expects to make around 12 awards, with an award ceiling of $1,000,000. The opportunity was created on 2026-06-17, and the original closing date is 2026-08-17. Overall, the grant is best understood as a time-limited, high-impact planning investment that helps states build the certification and Medicaid payment foundation required to expand access to coordinated, comprehensive behavioral health care through the CCBHC model and to compete for participation in the longer Section 223 demonstration.Apply for SM 26 016
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Agreements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.829.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Cooperative Agreements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grants opportunity?
This is a discretionary federal health funding opportunity from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to support state-level planning needed to participate in the Section 223 CCBHC Demonstration program. The funding opportunity number is SM 26 016.
What is the main purpose of these CCBHC Planning Grants?
The main purpose is to help states build the systems, policies, and Medicaid payment structures needed to make the CCBHC model workable and sustainable. The focus is on planning and readiness activities, not on immediate long-term direct service delivery.
Is this grant meant to fund direct behavioral health services right away?
No. The core aim is not to fund direct long-term service delivery immediately. The grant supports the state-level planning work required to enable certified clinics to deliver comprehensive behavioral health services and be reimbursed appropriately through Medicaid.
What is the Section 223 CCBHC Demonstration program this planning grant prepares states for?
The planning grants are designed to help states get ready to apply for and participate in the four-year Section 223 CCBHC Demonstration program by building required infrastructure such as certification systems and Medicaid payment methodologies.
Who is eligible to apply for this opportunity?
Eligibility is limited by statute. Only State Mental Health Authorities (SMHAs), Single State Agencies (SSAs), State Medicaid Agencies (SMAs), and the District of Columbia may apply.
Can local providers, community clinics, universities, or nonprofit organizations apply directly?
Not under this opportunity, based on the eligibility rules provided. The eligible applicants are state-level entities (SMHAs, SSAs, SMAs) and the District of Columbia, reflecting the statewide policy and Medicaid payment design work required.
What are the key planning activities this grant supports?
The grant supports state-level work to (1) develop and implement a state certification system for CCBHCs, (2) establish a Prospective Payment System (PPS) for Medicaid-reimbursable services delivered by CCBHCs, and (3) prepare a strong application for the Section 223 CCBHC Demonstration program.
What does “developing a state certification system for CCBHCs” mean in this context?
It means creating, refining, or operationalizing the standards and processes clinics must meet to be recognized as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. The intent is to make certification actionable and enforceable through defined standards, processes, and oversight.
What kinds of elements are typically included in a CCBHC certification framework?
Based on the description provided, certification frameworks typically address required services, staffing and workforce expectations, quality and reporting requirements, governance and coordination expectations, and procedures for oversight, monitoring, and re-certification.
What is a Prospective Payment System (PPS) and why is it important here?
PPS is a structured Medicaid payment methodology where clinics are paid based on a predetermined rate rather than billing fee-for-service for each individual activity. In the CCBHC context, PPS is intended to better support the full scope of required services (including care coordination and other elements that are hard to finance under traditional reimbursement) while improving clarity around costs, reporting, and accountability.
What does the grant support related to Medicaid payment design?
The planning grant supports states in designing or adapting a PPS approach so it aligns with Medicaid rules, the state service system, and the operational realities of community behavioral health providers.
How does this planning grant help with applying to the Section 223 Demonstration?
The opportunity explicitly supports states in preparing a strong application to participate in the four-year Section 223 CCBHC Demonstration program. Application preparation typically involves demonstrating certification infrastructure, payment methodology readiness, overall readiness planning, and stakeholder engagement.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project period, such as more ongoing coordination, technical assistance expectations, or federal collaboration compared with a standard grant.
How many awards does SAMHSA expect to make?
SAMHSA expects to make around 12 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The CFDA number associated with the program is 93.829.
What is the funding opportunity number (FON)?
The funding opportunity number is SM 26 016.
When was this opportunity created and what is the closing date?
The opportunity was created on 2026-06-17. The original closing date is 2026-08-17.
What is the overall outcome SAMHSA is trying to enable through these planning grants?
The overall goal is to help states build the certification and Medicaid payment foundation required to expand access to coordinated, comprehensive behavioral health care through the CCBHC model and to compete for participation in the longer Section 223 demonstration.
Why is eligibility limited to state-level agencies and the District of Columbia?
The work described involves statewide policy decisions and Medicaid payment design, which generally sit with state-level agencies rather than local providers or other organizations.
How should this grant be understood in terms of timing and impact?
It is best understood as a time-limited, high-impact planning investment intended to bridge a state from interest in the CCBHC model to the operational readiness needed to compete for and implement the Section 223 CCBHC Demonstration program.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: DoW Autism Idea Development Award
Previous opportunity: DoW Breast Cancer, Clinical Research Extension Award
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for SM 26 016
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (SM 26 016) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) Planning, Development, and Implementation Grant Apply for SM 26 014 Funding Number: SM 26 014 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Consumer and Consumer Support Technical Assistance Center Apply for SM 26 017 Funding Number: SM 26 017 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,782,291 |
| Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Improvement and Advancement Grant Apply for SM 26 015 Funding Number: SM 26 015 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| NIH Director’s Early Independence Award (DP5 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA RM 27 004 Funding Number: RFA RM 27 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Rural Health Network Advancement Program Apply for HRSA 26 082 Funding Number: HRSA 26 082 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA RM 27 002 Funding Number: RFA RM 27 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| NIH Director’s Pioneer Award (DP1 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA RM 27 001 Funding Number: RFA RM 27 001 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Sickle Cell Disease Regional Care Excellence (SoRCE) Program Apply for HRSA 26 052 Funding Number: HRSA 26 052 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $950,000 |
| Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems SEED Project: Scaling Effective Early Childhood Systems Development (ECCS SEED) Apply for HRSA 26 057 Funding Number: HRSA 26 057 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $875,000 |
| Single Source Competition: Continuation of the Cardiovascular Repository for Type 1 Diabetes (CaRe-T1D) - Resource Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for RFA DK 27 109 Funding Number: RFA DK 27 109 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part D Coordinated HIV Services and Access to Research for Women, Infants, Children, and Youth (WICY) Existing Geographic Service Areas Apply for HRSA 26 067 Funding Number: HRSA 26 067 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Rural Health Research Dissemination Program Apply for HRSA 26 049 Funding Number: HRSA 26 049 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $230,000 |
| Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program Apply for HRSA 26 053 Funding Number: HRSA 26 053 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $475,000 |
| 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Crisis Center Follow-Up Programs Apply for FG 26 004 Funding Number: FG 26 004 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| FY2026 Support for 988 Tribal Response Cooperative Agreements Apply for FG 26 003 Funding Number: FG 26 003 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Cooperative Agreements for States and Territories to Improve Local 988 Capacity Apply for FG 26 002 Funding Number: FG 26 002 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $20,195,467 |
| NIH Director’s Transformative Research Award for Individual and Group Science (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA RM 27 003 Funding Number: RFA RM 27 003 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advancing Outbreak Detection, Notification, and Response Capacity by Implementing 7-1-7 in Partner Countries Apply for CDC RFA JG 26 0214 Funding Number: CDC RFA JG 26 0214 Agency: Centers for Disease Control-GHC Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| State Offices of Rural Health Program Apply for HRSA 26 065 Funding Number: HRSA 26 065 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $223,410 |
| Accelerating Discovery through Partnered Research with All of Us to Analyze Participant Biospecimens (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 27 069 Funding Number: PAR 27 069 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "SM 26 016", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.