Mental Health Professional Grants
Federal and state grants support mental health professionals in expanding their practices, providing services to underserved populations, continuing education, and advancing the mental health field. Find funding for therapists, psychiatrists, counselors, psychologists, and clinical social workers.
Types of Mental Health Professional Grants
Practice Development & Expansion
Grants helping mental health professionals establish or expand their practices and services.
- • Solo private practice development
- • Community practice expansion
- • Clinic establishment and operations
- • Telehealth and remote service funding
Education & Professional Development
Funding for advanced training, certification, and continuing education for mental health practitioners.
- • Graduate degree funding
- • Professional certification programs
- • Continuing education and training
- • Specialized clinical skill development
Underserved Population Services
Grants supporting mental health professionals serving marginalized, rural, and underinsured populations.
- • Rural mental health practice support
- • Underserved community mental health services
- • Low-income population mental health
- • Diverse population cultural competency training
Specialty & Evidence-Based Training
Funding for training in specialized therapy approaches and evidence-based mental health interventions.
- • CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care training
- • Addiction and recovery counseling certification
- • Child and adolescent mental health specialization
- • Crisis intervention and disaster mental health
Eligibility for Mental Health Professional Grants
Licensed Mental Health Professionals
Licensed therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, clinical social workers, and other licensed mental health practitioners are eligible for professional development, practice support, and education grants.
Mental Health Practice Organizations
Private practices, group practices, community mental health centers, and nonprofit mental health organizations can receive grants to support mental health professional staff, training, and service expansion.
Students & Trainees
Graduate students, interns, and residents in mental health fields (psychology, clinical social work, counseling, psychiatry) qualify for training grants, scholarships, and education funding.
Organizations Serving Mental Health Professionals
Professional associations, training institutions, and organizations supporting mental health workforce development can apply for grants to improve professional training and practice standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
What grants are available for therapists starting a private practice?
Several grants support practice development: Small Business Administration (SBA) microloans, HRSA grants for serving underserved populations, state-level mental health profession support programs, and Foundation grants (Robert Wood Johnson, Casey Foundation) for practice expansion in rural or low-income areas. Many require commitment to serve vulnerable populations.
Are there grants for continuing education in specialized therapy approaches?
Yes. SAMHSA, NIMH, and many state agencies fund training in evidence-based approaches (CBT, DBT, trauma-informed care, addiction counseling). Professional associations (APA, NASW, AAMFT) also offer continuing education grants. NIH funds specialized training through R25 grants, and foundation grants support training in underserved populations and rural settings.
Can I get funding to provide mental health services to underserved populations?
Yes. HRSA Primary Care Loans, federal community health center grants, state mental health agency grants, and foundation grants specifically fund mental health professionals serving underinsured, rural, and minority populations. These often come with loan forgiveness, tax credits, or direct payments for qualifying service commitments.
What about grants for rural mental health professionals?
HRSA's Loan Repayment Program, National Health Service Corps scholarships, and state-level rural health grants support mental health professionals in underserved rural areas. USDA Rural Development and various state agencies also fund mental health practice expansion in rural communities. These typically require service commitments in underserved areas.
Are there grants for mental health graduate students?
Yes. NIMH and SAMHSA fund graduate training and fellowship programs in psychology, psychiatry, clinical social work, and counseling. NIH provides training grants (T32, F31, F32) for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Many states and foundations also offer scholarships for graduate students committing to underserved population service.
Who funds mental health professional development grants?
Primary funders include: SAMHSA (training and practice support), NIMH (research and training), NIH (specialized training), HRSA (rural and underserved area support), state health and mental health agencies, professional associations, and foundations (Robert Wood Johnson, Casey, Ford, Mellon). Each has different focus areas and eligibility requirements.
Mental Health Professional Resources
SAMHSA Workforce Resources
SAMHSA.gov/workforce provides grants, training funding, and resources for mental health professionals and workforce development.
HRSA Loan Repayment Program
National Health Service Corps loan repayment and scholarship programs for mental health professionals serving underserved populations.
NIH Training Grants
NIH.gov and NIMH.nih.gov list training grants (T32, F31, F32) for psychology, psychiatry, clinical social work, and counseling graduates and postdocs.
Professional Associations
APA (American Psychological Association), NASW (National Association of Social Workers), AAMFT (American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy), IACP (International Association of Counseling Services) offer training grants and continuing education resources.
Available Mental Health Professional Grants
No grants currently matching these criteria. Check back soon or contact SAMHSA for available opportunities.