Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP) | HRSA 23 090

Opportunity Information: Apply for HRSA 23 090

The Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP) is a federal grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), focused on strengthening the behavioral health and addiction workforce in underserved communities. The main aim is to increase the number of clinicians who are prepared to deliver integrated services for mental health and substance use disorders (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), in community-based settings where patients often first seek care. A key emphasis is on care models that blend primary care, mental health treatment, and SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery supports in one coordinated system, including programs that serve children and adolescents.

Under this opportunity, applicants are expected to design and run a structured training program that is either 12 months full-time or 24 months half-time. The program is meant for both (1) individuals still completing the clinical training required for licensure and (2) already-practicing professionals. The target disciplines include nurse practitioners, physician assistants, health service psychologists, counselors, nurses, and social workers. The training experience must be practical and clinically grounded, building real-world capacity for participants to treat patients with mental health conditions and SUD/OUD across the full continuum of care, from prevention and early intervention to treatment and long-term recovery support.

The program goals center on developing a stronger pipeline of clinicians who can work effectively at common access points of care, especially in underserved areas where workforce shortages and service fragmentation can limit treatment availability. ISTP is intended to deepen clinical skill, expand provider confidence, and increase the availability of integrated services for people who might otherwise struggle to access coordinated mental health and addiction care. A notable component is the expectation that the training will support preparation to deliver evidence-based OUD treatment, including medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD). The opportunity specifically highlights MOUD preparation for physician assistants and advanced practice nurses, reflecting the need to broaden the number of clinicians able to provide or support medication-based OUD treatment within integrated care teams.

The objectives of ISTP are threefold. First, it seeks to increase the number of trainees and practicing clinicians across the listed disciplines who are trained to deliver integrated mental health and SUD/OUD services in underserved, primary care-oriented community settings, including pediatric-serving sites. Second, it requires applicants to plan, develop, and operate a training program embedded in settings that truly integrate primary care, mental health, and SUD/OUD services, covering prevention, treatment (including MOUD), and recovery. Third, it aims to help create a lasting foundation of skills and program infrastructure within the host community-based sites, so that team-based training and integrated service delivery can be sustained and strengthened over time. Team-based care is a central expectation, meaning trainees should learn to coordinate across disciplines and roles to address complex patient needs in a cohesive, patient-centered way.

From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant (Funding Opportunity Number HRSA-23-090; CFDA 93.732) within HRSA's health funding portfolio. The notice lists an award ceiling of $515,000 and anticipates making about 17 awards. The opportunity was originally posted on January 20, 2023, with an original application deadline of March 21, 2023. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others" with additional details referenced in the full eligibility section of the funding announcement, which typically means applicants should verify organizational eligibility and any partnership or training-site requirements in the full notice before applying.

Overall, ISTP is geared toward building a better-prepared, more widely distributed clinical workforce that can meet mental health and addiction needs where gaps are greatest. It prioritizes hands-on, integrated, community-based training; expansion of OUD treatment capacity, including medication-based care; and long-term strengthening of team-based service models that connect primary care and behavioral health, including in settings serving pediatric populations.

• The Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Integrated Substance Use Disorder Training Program (ISTP)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.732.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 20, 2023.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 21, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $515,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 17 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for HRSA 23 090

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