Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) Request for Application (RFA) for Large Grants

Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) Request for Application (RFA) for Large Grants is sponsored by California Commission for Behavioral Health. This initiative aims to fund innovative, equity-centered solutions that enhance mental health services across California.

Innovation Partnership Fund - BHSOAC Innovation Partnership Fund The application period is now closed. Click here for full details. Under the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and beginning July 1, 2026, county innovation will be eliminated and the Commission will then oversee and administer the Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) grant program.

This initiative aims to award $100 million in grants over five years to drive bold, equity-centered innovations within California’s public behavioral health system.

Round 1: Released March 20, 2026 This groundbreaking fund is designed to invest in solutions that will fundamentally improve how mental health and substance use disorder services are delivered, experienced, and sustained across the state, with a strong focus on supporting county behavioral health departments.

Round one was built upon extensive community and system partner feedback ensuring that the initiatives supported reflect the real-world needs of Californians. It was also developed in collaboration with the California Health & Human Services Agency, the California Department of Health Care Services, the California Department of Public Health, and the California Department of Health Care Access and Information.

The Commission’s Program Advisory Committee, led by Chair Gary Tsai and Vice Chair Mara Madrigal-Weiss, also played a significant role in developing round one’s Request for Application (RFA), in partnership with the Commission’s Client, Family, and Community Inclusion, Lived Experience, and Diversity Advisory Committee, led by Chair Rayshell Chambers and Vice Chair Mayra Alvarez.

This first round of IPF offers two distinct grant categories, each with specific eligibility requirements: Category 1 – Small Grants (Less than $500,000) : A minimum of 8 grants will be awarded, with a total of $4 million available. These grants are exclusively open to community-based organizations, non-profit entities, and/or tribal organizations.

Category 2 – Large Grants ($500,000 to $5,000,000) : A minimum of 3 grants will be awarded, with a total of $16 million available. These grants are open to all organization and entity types including public, private, and non-profit entities. These contracts will last approximately 30 months starting no sooner than July 1, 2026.

Applicants may apply for one or both grant categories, but must submit a separate application for each project.

Key Application Requirements: To be considered for this fund, applicants’ proposed solutions must: Be innovative by advancing new or scaled culturally competent models, practical community-centered solutions, demonstrating a clear break from the status quo, or being ready for real-world implementation; Address the needs of BHSA Priority Populations, including underserved, low-income, and communities impacted by other behavioral health disparities; Apply to and support county behavioral health programs, either directly or indirectly; and Address key Cross-Cutting Elements, including Equity, Financial Sustainability, Lived Experience and Community Leadership, Alignment with Statewide Transformation Efforts, and Agility/Quality Improvement Integration.

RFA Release: March 20, 2026 Friday, March 27, 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM PDT (Registration closed due to max participants) Friday, March 27, 2026, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT ( https://bhsoac-ca-gov.zoom.

us/meeting/register/-IaxQvXkThScqwyZaUpI2w#/registration ) Deadline for Written Questions: April 24, 2026 (extended) Distribution of Questions & Responses: April 10, 2026 Deadline to Submit Applications: May 8, 2026, by 12:00 PM (PST) Anticipated Intent to Award: S ubject to enactment of the FY 2026-27 California State Budget Anticipated Contract Start Date: July 2026 The full RFA is now available on the Commission’s website here .

This is a transformative opportunity to bring innovative solutions to life and make a lasting impact on behavioral health services in California. This first round of funding is just the beginning of our five-year commitment to investing $100 million in behavioral health innovation.

A Call to Co-Create California’s Innovation Partnership Fund Jul 9, 2025 Sep 3 IPF Listening Session (Open to all community members) Aug 13 IPF Listening Session (Open to all community members) Aug 7 IPF Listening Session (Focused on individuals with lived experience) Request for Application (RFA) for Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF-001) Innovation Partnership Fund Working Framework Please fill out the form below.

If you are experiencing a crisis, please refer to our Transformational Change Survey If you are thinking about suicide or are under emotional stress, or you are worried about a friend or family member, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline is available Toll-Free 24/7 . The Lifeline is available for individuals that are deaf or hard of hearing.

For Immediate Assistance Call: If you are experiencing emotional distress, the Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available by text or chat :