Indian Health Service Behavioral Health Program: Zero Suicide Initiative Coordinating Center

The Indian Health Service (IHS) Behavioral Health Program: Zero Suicide Initiative Coordinating Center, administered through the Department of Health and Human Services, funds Cooperative Agreements to build capacity within tribal and urban Indian health systems to implement comprehensive, culturally informed suicide prevention programs (CFDA 93.00H). No recent grant awards or open opportunities are present in the current source material.

The program targets American Indian and Alaska Native populations by supporting Tribes, Tribal Organizations, Urban Indian Organizations, and eligible health and education entities in establishing systems of care for individuals at risk for suicide. Funded activities reflect a multi-setting approach to suicide prevention integrated across behavioral health delivery systems. The Assistance Listing description indicates renewals proceed through competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity solicitation and full reapplication at the end of each project period, though specific award cadence or recent award dates are not supplied in the source.

Awards are structured as Cooperative Agreements, which position the funding agency as an active collaborator in achieving suicide prevention outcomes. Selection emphasizes problem identification, evidence-based project approaches, capability of key personnel, management controls, demonstrable results aligned with IHS goals, and project compatibility with the Indian Health Service's broader behavioral health mission.

Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian tribes; tribal organizations; nonprofit inter-tribal organizations; nonprofit urban Indian organizations with Title V Indian Health Care Improvement Act contracts; and public or private nonprofit health and education entities and state and local government health agencies partnering with tribal or urban Indian health systems. Recipients expending one million dollars or more in federal awards annually must obtain annual audits under 2 CFR 200, Subpart F; smaller recipients remain exempt but must preserve records for federal review upon request. Grant records must be retained three years after final expenditure reporting, or longer if litigation or claims remain pending.