Funding Opportunities:
Behavioral/Mental Health
Below is a list of funding opportunities related to providing medical homes for children with special needs.

Cooperative Agreements for Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health Short Title: Project LAUNCH from SAMSHA
Deadline: June 12, 2008

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2008 for Cooperative Agreements for Linking Actions for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health (Project LAUNCH). The purpose of Project LAUNCH is to promote the wellness of young children, birth to 8 years of age. Project LAUNCH defines wellness as a state of positive physical, emotional, social and behavioral health. For this program behavioral health includes mental health and positive development free from substance abuse and other negative behaviors. The goal is to create a shared vision for the wellness of young children that drives the development of Federal, State, Territorial, tribal and locally-based networks for the coordination of key child-serving systems and the integration of behavioral and physical health services. The expected result is for children to be thriving in safe, supportive environments and entering school ready to learn and able to succeed.

States, Territories and Tribes are asked to build on their existing health, behavioral health and social service systems to develop and implement plans for young child wellness. Applicants also are required to implement evidence-based programs and activities to improve child wellness in at least one locality. Together, States, Territories, Tribes and localities will work to increase the number of families participating in evidence-based practices which support child wellness.

Project LAUNCH is grounded in the public health approach, working towards coordinated programs that take a comprehensive view of health, addressing the physical, emotional, social and behavioral aspects of wellness. The public health approach addresses the health needs of the population rather than only addressing the health problems of individuals. Project LAUNCH seeks to improve outcomes at the individual and community levels by addressing risk factors that can lead to negative outcomes. Project LAUNCH promotes protective factors that support resilience and healthy development which can protect individuals from later social, emotional, physical and behavioral problems.

Project LAUNCH cooperative agreements are authorized under Section 520A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb–32). This announcement addresses Healthy People 2010 focus area 18 (Mental Health and Mental Disorders). For more information, please visit: http://www.samhsa.gov/Grants/2008/sm_08_011.aspx

Early Identification and Treatment of Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents (R01)
Deadline(s): Varies

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites investigator-initiated research grant applications for studies focused on the early identification and treatment of mental disorders in children and adolescents. Specific examples include studies focused on: the validation of early diagnosis of mental disorders in youth, especially in young children; the development of new interventions to treat mental disorders and prevent the exacerbation of associated functional impairment; the efficacy and safety of new and existing treatments; the identification and evaluation of predictors of treatment response and underlying mechanisms of action for new and existing treatments; the long-term effectiveness and impact of early intervention on later course; and the factors that promote or impede access to services and impact the effectiveness of services for these patients in community and practice settings. Assessment methods may include behavioral, neuropsychological, neuroimaging, and other physiological measures or markers. Intervention strategies to be studied may include pharmacological, psychosocial, and rehabilitative interventions, separately or in combination.

For more information, visit: www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=9684

Nick Traina Foundation
Deadline: Rolling

The Nick Traina Foundation is seeking proposals from organizations involved in the diagnosis, research, treatment and/or family support of manic-depression, suicide prevention and child abuse. The foundation may give special consideration to proposals that address manic depression in children and young adults. Applications are accepted year-round.

More information can be found at: www.nicktrainafoundation.org/main.htm, or by calling: 415/771-4224

NIMH Research Education Grants (R25)
Letters of Intent Due: 30 Days Prior to the Application Receipt Date
Application Due: October 1 Annually for New Applications; November 1 Annually for Revised and Competing Renewal Applications

The goal of the NIMH Research Education Program is to foster the development of mental health researchers via creative and innovative research educational programs including regional and national programs as well as programs involving a single institution. Through this funding opportunity, the NIMH encourages educational experiences that will attract, train, and advance the career development of clinician scientists committed to research careers relevant to the mission of the NIMH. NIMH also encourages educational programs that will help prepare researchers for interdisciplinary research careers, including translational research careers that are relevant to the mission of the NIMH.

To learn more about this grant, go to: grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-153.htm

Research on Women’s Mental Health and Sex/Gender Differences in Mental Health Across the Lifespan

The National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) are inviting for-profit or nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, state or local government, or Native American tribal governments or organizations to apply for funding.

Summary:This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) solicits exploratory/developmental (R21) research grant applications on women's mental health and sex/gender differences in mental health across the lifespan.  The epidemiology and disability burden of mental disorders provide clear evidence of the value of a focus on sex differences research. There are differences in both the prevalence and clinical course of mental disorders between men and women.   Starting in childhood, girls have higher rates of anxiety disorders than boys. Boys have higher rates of autism and attention deficit disorder.  After puberty, women have higher rates than men of depression, eating disorders, and anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Men are more likely to suffer from substance abuse disorders.  For other serious mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, gender disparities in incidence are not found.  However, significant differences in clinical course have been demonstrated across the lifespan.  This pattern of disparities in the epidemiology of mental disorders in males and females provides indirect evidence of genetic, hormonal, biological, social, cultural and developmental factors in etiology and course.  An increasing body of basic and clinical research also provides evidence of neurobiological sex differences that may predispose to clinical differences in mental disorders.  The finding of sex/gender differences in epidemiological, basic, and clinical studies has also increased interest in the application of that knowledge to improving interventions and services for males and females.  In recognition of the importance of studying sex/gender differences in health outcomes, NIH has provided guidelines to researchers for inclusion of women and men in clinical research and for gender analysis of clinical trials outcomes.  Through research such as that called for in this FOA, NIMH seeks to increase the understanding of the significance of sex/gender differences in mental health outcomes and to assess their significance for mental health prevention, treatment and services

For more information, please go to:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-334.html.

Last Updated May 1, 2008