Provider’s Clinical Support System Universities (PCSS-U) | TI 24 001

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the PCSS-U grant opportunity?

The Provider's Clinical Support System Universities (PCSS-U) grant is a discretionary federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). It is identified as Funding Opportunity Number TI 24 001 and is focused on strengthening how substance use disorder (SUD) education is taught in graduate-level healthcare programs.

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The central purpose is to ensure students in clinical and health professions receive high-quality SUD training early in their academic path, so they graduate prepared to recognize, assess, and respond to addiction in everyday healthcare settings. The program emphasizes making SUD competence part of mainstream healthcare practice rather than treating it as a niche specialty topic.

Who is the funding agency for this grant?

The funding agency is the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

What types of programs does PCSS-U aim to strengthen?

PCSS-U is designed to strengthen substance use disorder education within graduate-level healthcare programs, with a focus on curriculum integration and student readiness for real-world clinical settings.

What does "curriculum integration" mean in the context of this grant?

In this opportunity, curriculum integration refers to embedding SUD-related education into an institution's regular, standard curriculum. The emphasis is on building consistent instruction rather than relying on one-off or standalone trainings.

What kinds of student skills and knowledge are expected outcomes of PCSS-U?

Students are expected to gain foundational knowledge and skills across the continuum of care, including screening and identification of substance use concerns, basic assessment, brief interventions when appropriate, understanding evidence-based treatment approaches, and supporting recovery.

Does the grant address stigma related to substance use disorders?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly highlights addressing SUD stigma, indicating that stigma reduction should be treated as a core competency and a broader cultural shift within healthcare education.

How is this grant best described overall?

PCSS-U is best understood as a workforce development and education modernization initiative focused on substance use disorders. It funds efforts that prepare graduate-level healthcare students to provide better SUD-related care immediately after graduation and supports institutions in hardwiring SUD education into standard curricula.

What is the funding activity category for this opportunity?

The funding activity category is Health.

What is the CFDA number associated with this grant?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.243.

What is the award mechanism for PCSS-U?

Funding is provided through a grant mechanism.

What is the maximum funding amount per award?

The award ceiling is $300,000 per award.

How many awards did SAMHSA anticipate making?

SAMHSA anticipated making about 18 awards under this announcement.

When was the application closing date listed for this opportunity?

The original closing date listed for applications was April 15, 2024.

When was the opportunity record created?

The opportunity record shows a creation date of February 15, 2024.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility includes States and Territories (including the District of Columbia), political subdivisions of States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304, and health facilities or programs operated by or under contract/award with the Indian Health Service. Other public or private nonprofit entities are also eligible.

Are tribal entities and Indian Health Service-related programs eligible?

Yes. Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as defined in 25 U.S.C. 5304) are eligible, as are health facilities or programs operated by or under contract/award with the Indian Health Service.

Does this opportunity appear intended to reach a wide range of training environments?

Yes. The broad eligibility suggests SAMHSA is seeking to reach diverse academic and healthcare training environments, including those serving tribal communities and other priority populations, to expand the reach and consistency of SUD education across the healthcare pipeline.

What is the intended impact on the future healthcare workforce?

The expected outcome is a broader, more capable mainstream healthcare workforce that can recognize addiction early, respond with evidence-based practices, support recovery, connect patients to treatment and recovery supports, and contribute to reducing stigma in clinical settings.

How does this opportunity differ from a program that funds standalone trainings?

Based on the stated emphasis, this opportunity is not only about offering one-off trainings. It supports embedding SUD-related content into regular curricula so addiction education becomes a consistent part of professional preparation.

What does "continuum of care" refer to in the grant description?

In the description provided, the continuum of care includes a range of student competencies such as screening and identifying substance use concerns, conducting basic assessment, providing brief interventions when appropriate, understanding evidence-based treatment approaches, and supporting recovery.

Why do the closing date and creation date matter for applicants?

These details help indicate the timeline that governed the competition and provide context about when the opportunity was published and when applications were due.