Opportunity Information: Apply for FG 26 001

The FY2026 Cooperative Agreement for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Administrator (Funding Opportunity Number FG 26 001) is a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) focused on operating and continuously improving the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Through a cooperative agreement, the selected recipient will function as the official 988 Lifeline Administrator, meaning the work is expected to involve close, ongoing collaboration with the federal agency rather than a more hands-off grant relationship. The core intent is to manage, enhance, and strengthen the nationwide 988 system so that people in crisis who call, text, or chat are connected quickly to skilled, caring, and culturally competent crisis counselors.

The central responsibilities described in the opportunity emphasize maintaining a robust national network of crisis contact centers and ensuring consistent quality across that network. In practice, that means the Lifeline Administrator is expected to support and coordinate participating contact centers, help sustain reliable coverage and capacity, and implement and oversee national standards of care. The opportunity highlights quality and consistency as key priorities: the administrator must ensure that anyone who reaches out to 988 receives access to trained counselors who can provide appropriate crisis support, including culturally competent engagement that meets people where they are and respects diverse backgrounds and needs.

This funding opportunity is tied to the health funding activity category and is listed under CFDA number 93.243. SAMHSA anticipates making one award under this announcement, which signals that a single entity will be selected to lead and coordinate the work at a national scale. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $231,482,876, reflecting the breadth and complexity of administering a nationwide crisis response hotline and its associated quality infrastructure.

Eligibility is limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities, categorized in the source data under "Others." This indicates that applicants must be based in the United States and organized as public or private nonprofits, aligning with the national service delivery and public health mission of the 988 Lifeline. The application deadline listed as the original closing date is February 27, 2026, and the opportunity was created on January 13, 2026. Overall, the grant is designed to fund a national administrator that can strengthen the 988 Lifeline network, operational performance, and care standards so that every person contacting 988 can access timely, high-quality crisis counseling.

  • The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2026 Cooperative Agreement for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Administrator" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.243.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2026-01-13.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-02-27. (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 $231,482,876.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
Apply for FG 26 001

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FY2026 Cooperative Agreement for 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Administrator (FG 26 001) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is this funding opportunity?

This is the FY2026 Cooperative Agreement for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Administrator (Funding Opportunity Number FG 26 001), a discretionary federal grant opportunity from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It is designed to fund the operation and continuous improvement of the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

What is the main purpose of the award?

The main purpose is to manage, enhance, and strengthen the nationwide 988 system so that people in crisis who call, text, or chat 988 are connected quickly to skilled, caring, and culturally competent crisis counselors.

What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

A cooperative agreement means the selected recipient is expected to work in close, ongoing collaboration with SAMHSA. This is not described as a hands-off relationship; instead, the federal agency and recipient are expected to coordinate throughout the work.

Who will the selected recipient be in the 988 system?

The selected recipient will function as the official 988 Lifeline Administrator, responsible for administering and strengthening the 988 Lifeline network at a national level.

What are the core responsibilities of the 988 Lifeline Administrator under this opportunity?

The opportunity emphasizes maintaining a robust national network of crisis contact centers and ensuring consistent quality across that network. Responsibilities described include supporting and coordinating participating contact centers, helping sustain reliable coverage and capacity, and implementing and overseeing national standards of care.

What communication channels does the 988 Lifeline cover in this opportunity?

The opportunity specifically references people contacting 988 by call, text, or chat, and focuses on ensuring they are connected quickly to appropriate crisis counseling support.

What is emphasized regarding quality of care?

Quality and consistency are highlighted as key priorities. The administrator is expected to ensure that anyone who reaches out to 988 can access trained counselors who provide appropriate crisis support.

What does culturally competent care mean in the context of this grant?

In this opportunity, culturally competent care is described as engaging people in ways that meet them where they are and respect diverse backgrounds and needs. The administrator is expected to ensure access to counselors who can provide this kind of culturally competent engagement.

What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is tied to the health funding activity category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 93.243.

How many awards does SAMHSA expect to make?

SAMHSA anticipates making one award under this announcement, meaning a single entity is expected to be selected to lead and coordinate this work nationally.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $231,482,876. This reflects the scope and complexity of administering a nationwide crisis response lifeline and its quality infrastructure.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities. The opportunity categorizes eligibility under "Others," and indicates applicants must be based in the United States and organized as public or private nonprofits.

Are for-profit organizations eligible to apply?

Based on the information provided, eligibility is limited to domestic public and private nonprofit entities. No for-profit eligibility is described in the provided details.

When is the application deadline?

The original closing date listed for applications is February 27, 2026.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on January 13, 2026.

What kind of work does "operating and continuously improving" the 988 Lifeline involve?

Based on the description, it involves administering the national network of crisis contact centers, coordinating those centers to sustain coverage and capacity, and implementing and overseeing national standards of care to ensure consistent, high-quality crisis counseling for people contacting 988.

What is the expected scale of the project funded by this grant?

The expected scale is national. The award supports a single Lifeline Administrator responsible for coordinating and strengthening the 988 system nationwide.

What outcomes is this opportunity trying to achieve for people who contact 988?

The stated intent is that every person contacting 988 can access timely, high-quality crisis counseling, with rapid connection to skilled, caring counselors and consistent standards of care across the national network.

What does the opportunity say about standards of care?

It states that the administrator is expected to implement and oversee national standards of care and ensure consistent quality across the network of crisis contact centers.

Why does the opportunity focus on coordinating crisis contact centers?

The provided description frames the national 988 system as a network of participating crisis contact centers. Coordination is emphasized to sustain reliable coverage and capacity and to ensure consistent quality and standards across the entire network.

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