Update on 2026 Forecasted Federal Funding Opportunities for Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs)

Key Developments for FY 2026:

• Continuation & New Opportunities: SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) has forecast new grant opportunities for CCBHC planning and improvement for FY 2026, alongside existing programs.

• Funding Uncertainty: Early budget proposals suggested eliminating the CCBHC Expansion Grant Program, leading to strong advocacy to protect it, though final budgets for 2026 still show vulnerability.

• Medicaid Impact: Broad Medicaid funding cuts proposed in 2025 could indirectly affect CCBHCs, as many rely on Medicaid reimbursement.

State & Private Support: States and private funders, like the Ballmer Group, are stepping in to strengthen the CCBHC model, providing technical assistance and support in states like Illinois, Kansas, and Michigan. 

Grants.gov currently forecasts several HHS and SAMHSA CCBHC funding opportunities during 2026:

1.    Opportunity SM-26-014: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) Planning, Development and Implementation

·       The purpose of this program is to transform community behavioral health systems so they can provide comprehensive and coordinated behavioral health care by: (1) assisting organizations in the planning for the development and implementation of a new CCBHC that meets the CCBHC Certification Criteria; (2) providing a comprehensive range of outreach, screening, assessment, treatment, care coordination, and recovery supports based on a needs assessment that aligns with the CCBHC Certification Criteria; and, (3) supporting recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorders (SUDs) by providing access to high-quality mental health and SUD services, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. The intent of CCBHC-PI is to fund newly established CCBHCs.

·       Estimated post date: March 31, 2026

·       Estimated total funding: $94,000,000

2.    Opportunity SM-26-015: Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Improvement and Advancement Grant

·       The purpose of this program is to transform community behavioral health systems so they may provide comprehensive, coordinated behavioral health care by (1) enhancing and improving CCBHCs that meet the CCBHC Certification Criteria; (2) providing a comprehensive range of outreach, screening, assessment, treatment, care coordination, and recovery supports based on a needs assessment with fidelity to the CCBHC Certification Criteria; and (3) supporting recovery from mental illness and/or substance use disorders by providing access to high-quality mental health and substance use services, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay. The CCBHC–IA program supports CCBHCs that have been certified by their states or that participated in a previous CCBHC-Expansion award to further expand or improve their CCBHC services.

·       Estimated post date: March 31, 2026

·       Estimated total funding: $94,000,000

3.    Cooperative Agreements for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) Planning Grants; 93.829 -- Section 223 Demonstration Programs to Improve Community Mental Health Services

·       Estimated total funding: $15,000,000

·       Estimated post date: March 31, 2026