The Rural Opioid Technical Assistance Regional Centers grant is a discretionary funding opportunity provided by the Department of Health and Human Services through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). This grant program aims to support the establishment of regional centers of excellence that will develop and disseminate training and technical assistance to address opioid and stimulant misuse, particularly in rural communities. The program focuses on enhancing the capacity of health service providers, organizations, and community stakeholders to implement effective strategies for prevention, treatment, and recovery related to opioid and stimulant use disorders.

The total estimated program funding for this grant is $7,150,000, with an expected number of 11 awards distributed among eligible applicants. However, specific details regarding the award ceiling and award floor are not provided. This funding opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching contributions from applicants. The grant falls under the funding activity category of health, particularly emphasizing substance use disorder treatment and prevention.

Eligible applicants include domestic public or private nonprofit entities, states, political subdivisions of states, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, health facilities, public and private institutions of higher education, or programs operated in accordance with a contract or grant with the Indian Health Service. The eligibility criteria suggest a broad and inclusive applicant pool, ensuring diverse organizations have the opportunity to contribute to addressing the opioid crisis in rural communities.

The estimated posting date for the application is May 1, 2025. However, key application deadlines, including the final submission date, award announcement date, and project start date, have not been provided. Given that this is a forecasted opportunity, applicants should monitor updates from SAMHSA for the final announcement and specific application deadlines.

For additional information regarding this funding opportunity, interested applicants can contact the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at (240) 276-1660 or via email at ROTA@samhsa.hhs.gov. Further details will be made available once the official funding announcement is published.