04 Mar Funding Alert! Grants for Access to Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Does your organization provide direct services to individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD)? SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) is now accepting applications for its 2021 Medication-Assisted Treatment – Prescription Drug and Opioid Addiction (MAT-PDOA) grant program. The MAT-PDOA program aims to expand and/or enhance access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services for persons with OUD. The funder is focused on two primary outcomes: 1) an increase in the number of individuals with OUD receiving MAT and 2) a decrease in illicit opioid drug use and prescription opioid misuse at six-month follow-up. Proposals for this program are due April 27, 2021.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are domestic public and private nonprofit entities. Note that all applicants must register with the National Institutes of Health’s eRA Commons to submit an application, a process which can take up to six weeks. The project director must also have an active account affiliated with the organization within eRA Commons.

What do MAT-PDOA programs look like?

MAT-PDOA award recipients are required to implement MAT using one of the FDA-approved medications for the maintenance treatment of OUD, such as methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone products, and in combination with comprehensive, clinically appropriate OUD psychosocial services. These services may include counseling, behavioral therapies, and recovery support services (RSS), among others.

In addition, proposed MAT-PDOA programs must include the following activities:

• Conduct appropriate clinical assessments of OUD patients, including screening and assessments for co-occurring disorders;
• Ensure compliance with state, county, or local Prescription Drug Monitoring Program rules or regulations with each new patient admission;
• Establish and implement a risk-mitigation plan for the diversion of methadone or buprenorphine and ensure appropriate use and dosage by patients;
• Develop outreach and engagement strategies to increase engagement in and access to MAT for diverse populations;
• Ensure all applicable practitioners working on the project obtain a DATA waiver;
• Build funding mechanisms and service delivery models with rural and resource-limited counties and other agencies to provide a comprehensive suite of treatment and effective patient identification, engagement, and retention methods;
• Use telehealth services or other interventions to reach, engage, and retain patients; and
• Provide RSS, including peer recovery support services to improve access, retention, and long-term recovery for OUD patients.

Awardees may choose to pursue additional activities, such as tobacco cessation programs or activities; outreach and screening for incarcerated individuals nearing release; and education, screening, and other services for individuals with OUD and co-occurring infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) includes the full list of required and allowable activities on pages 6-9.

The funder expects to award up to 135 grants at varying levels across a five-year project period. States are eligible for awards of up to $1 million per year. Territories, federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations, and other domestic public and private nonprofit entities are eligible for up to $525,000 per year.

What makes a project a good fit?

SAMHSA intends to fund programs that are rooted in evidence-based best practices and appropriate for the target population. Applicants will need to identify the proposed evidence-based best practices, clearly define the target population, and discuss why and how the practices are appropriate and effective for that population.

In addition, SAMHSA encourages recipients to consider prioritizing active-duty military service members, returning veterans, and military families in designing and developing their programs, including a focus on the behavioral health needs of these populations.

What if I am ready to apply?

To move your project forward, take the following action steps as soon as possible:

• Review the full FOA for additional details and project activities.
• If your organization has never submitted a SAMHSA grant, you can find more information and watch training webinars about the application and submission process on the agency’s applicant resource page.
• Begin the process of registering your organization with eRA Commons.
• Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and be sure you have agov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/searchRecords/search.jsf.

What if I need help with this application?

Contact Assel Grant Services (AGS) today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist, will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.

What if I am not ready to apply this year?

Start preparing for next year! SAMHSA also has a variety of other programs and funding opportunities available that might be a good fit. The office’s website has ample resources, webinars, and descriptions of available or upcoming opportunities.

How do I learn more about federal grant opportunities?

AGS is excited to offer a new Federal Grants Training Series coming in 2021! The series is designed to support nonprofit professionals before and during their first federal grant. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.

AGS blogs, funding alerts, and trainings are aligned with the Grant Professional Certification Institute’s Competencies and Skills

Competency #1: Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs

Skill 1.2: Identify major trends in public funding and public policy

Skill 1.6: Identify fundable programs and projects for specific organization

Skill 1.7: Determine best matches between funders and specific programs