The FY 2024 Rural Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training Program, funded by SAMHSA, aims to support rural EMS agencies in training EMS personnel, particularly to address substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Grants of up to $200,000 annually, for a project period of two years, are available to rural EMS agencies operated by local or tribal governments or as non-profit entities. Applications for the FY 2024 cycle are due by March 20, 2024, and for FY 2025 by March 20, 2025. This NOFO allows agencies that applied in a previous fiscal year but did not receive funding to reapply in subsequent years.

The program’s key activities include training EMS personnel on identifying and managing substance use and mental health disorders, using trauma-informed and recovery-based approaches, and maintaining relevant certifications. Required activities encompass training on overdose reversal using naloxone, motivational interviewing, working with peer support specialists, and reporting overdose incidents to public health departments. Additionally, grantees can acquire necessary medical and emergency equipment with SAMHSA's prior approval. Optional activities include recruiting and training volunteer EMS personnel, acquiring personal protective equipment (PPE), and training on opioid overdose treatment using medications like buprenorphine.

Eligibility for this funding is limited to rural EMS agencies as defined by either nonmetropolitan statistical areas or state designations of rural areas. Each application must include a project narrative of no more than ten pages, budget details, and a certification that the project will serve rural populations. There is a 10% matching funds requirement, and applicants must be registered with eRA Commons, Grants.gov, and SAM.gov before submission. Applications exceeding page or budget limits will not be reviewed.

Evaluation criteria include the project's relevance to community needs, feasibility, and organizational capability to deliver training. Additional consideration is given to applications serving underserved communities and advancing DEIA principles. Awardees are required to submit progress reports at six and twelve months, as well as a final project report.