FY2026 Cooperative Agreement for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Administrator | FG 26 001

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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