HHS Grants - Health & Human Services Funding Guide 2026 - GrantMine

About the Department of Health & Human Services

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is the largest grant-making federal agency, distributing more than $700 billion annually - the majority of which flows through formula grants to states, but with billions available through competitive grants directly to nonprofits, health systems, universities, local governments, and tribal entities.

HHS is not a single agency but a collection of major operating divisions, each with its own grant programs, priorities, and application systems. Understanding which HHS component funds your type of work is the first step.

Major HHS Grant-Making Divisions

HRSA - Health Resources and Services Administration

HRSA funds organizations that improve healthcare access for underserved populations. If your organization works in rural health, primary care, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS services, or oral health, HRSA is your primary target.

Key programs:

Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program: $150,000–$500,000 per year for 3–5 years; nonprofits and local governments in rural areas
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike designation: Provides access to enhanced Medicaid reimbursement; highly competitive
Maternal and Child Health Block Grant: Flows through states to local organizations
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: Multiple parts funding services for people living with HIV
NURSE Corps Scholarship and Loan Repayment: For nurses committed to serving HPSAs

Typical awards: $150,000–$2,000,000 per year. Multi-year awards (3–5 years) are common.

Who wins HRSA grants: Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural health clinics, community health organizations, state health departments, and universities with health programs. Having an active SAM.gov registration and demonstrating service to Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) strengthens every HRSA application.

SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SAMHSA funds prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorders and mental health conditions. This is the primary federal source for behavioral health funding at the community level.

Key programs:

Substance Use Disorder Treatment Grants: Comprehensive programs for SUD treatment facilities
Community Mental Health Services Block Grant: Formula grants to states, which sub-award to local organizations
Strategic Prevention Framework: Prevention-focused grants targeting underage drinking, prescription drug misuse
Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs): Demonstration program for integrated care
Mental Health Awareness Training (MHAT): Smaller grants ($100,000–$200,000) for training programs

Typical awards: $300,000–$2,000,000 per year. Most SAMHSA grants run 4–5 years.

NIH - National Institutes of Health

NIH is the world's largest funder of biomedical research, distributing over $47 billion annually. NIH grants primarily support universities and research institutions, but community-based organizations can access NIH funding through community-based participatory research grants and through partnerships with universities.

Key mechanisms for community organizations:

R01 (Research Project Grant): The standard NIH research grant; typically for investigators with doctoral degrees at research institutions
Community-Based Participatory Research Grants: Designed to include community partners as genuine research partners
Small Business SBIR/STTR: NIH is the second-largest SBIR/STTR funder for health technology
Minority Health and Health Disparities Research: Specifically funds work addressing health disparities

ACF - Administration for Children and Families

ACF funds programs related to child welfare, early childhood education, economic mobility, and family support services.

Key programs:

Head Start and Early Head Start: Competitive grants for early childhood programs serving low-income families
Community Services Block Grant (CSBG): Formula grants for community action agencies
Child Care and Development Fund: Subsidized childcare for low-income families; distributed through states
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): State-administered formula grants
Family Violence Prevention: Grants for domestic violence shelters and services

CDC - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

CDC funds public health programs including disease surveillance, prevention research, immunization, and emergency preparedness.

Key programs for community organizations:

National Diabetes Prevention Program: Grants to recognized lifestyle change programs
HIV Prevention: Funds prevention programs at state and local levels
Tobacco Prevention: State-based programs and some direct community grants
Chronic Disease Prevention: Various programs targeting hypertension, obesity, and diabetes

How to Find Open HHS Opportunities

All HHS grant opportunities are posted on Grants.gov. Search by agency (HRSA, SAMHSA, ACF, CDC) or filter by the ALN prefix 93.XXX, which covers all HHS programs. GrantMine aggregates HHS opportunities nightly - search "Health" or filter by the Health category, or use the Agency filter to select specific HHS sub-agencies.

Tips for HHS Applications

Contact the program officer early: HHS program officers are generally accessible and will answer eligibility questions and provide guidance about program priorities before you apply.
Demonstrate service to underserved populations: Nearly every HHS program prioritizes applicants serving medically underserved, low-income, or rural populations. Document your service area's designation status (MUA, HPSA, rural area) in your needs statement.
Show organizational capacity: HHS programs can involve substantial compliance requirements. Document your financial management systems, prior federal grant experience, and staffing capacity.
Look for multi-year awards: Many HHS programs award 3–5 year grants with annual continuation funding contingent on performance. The initial application is the hardest; renewals are more predictable.