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A follow-up letter from SAMHSA received on the morning of January 15 stated that CSWE's grant "will remain active under its original terms and conditions." The letter instructed CSWE to disregard the termination notice and continue program activities as usual.
CSWE's MFP strengthens the mental health and substance use workforce, expands access to culturally responsive care, and addresses critical workforce shortages—outcomes that align directly with the Administration’s stated public health priorities. Eliminating this funding would have undermined efforts to meet growing behavioral health needs across the country.
About CSWE’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP)
For more than 50 years, the MFP has provided essential funding, training, mentorship, and support to students pursing master's and doctoral degrees in social work who have chosen to serve those at risk for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. The primary goal and priority of the MFP is to expand and strengthen the behavioral health workforce in the United States.
The MFP is and has always been open to all students regardless of age, gender, disability or ability, ethnicity, race, religious affiliation, or political ideology. There are more than 1,200 MFP alumni providing essential, vital services to people—including some of our most vulnerable populations—in urban and rural communities throughout the country.
Published on : January 14, 2026
On January 13, 2026, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) was notified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) that federal grant funding for CSWE’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) had been terminated. A little more than 24 hours later, SAMHSA reversed that decision.
In a letter received by CSWE on January 13, SAMHSA stated that the MFP grant “no longer effectuates the program goals or agency priorities.” News reports revealed that hundreds of mental health and substance use programs nationwide had received similar notices, raising serious concerns about the stability of the behavioral health workforce.A follow-up letter from SAMHSA received on the morning of January 15 stated that CSWE's grant "will remain active under its original terms and conditions." The letter instructed CSWE to disregard the termination notice and continue program activities as usual.
CSWE's MFP strengthens the mental health and substance use workforce, expands access to culturally responsive care, and addresses critical workforce shortages—outcomes that align directly with the Administration’s stated public health priorities. Eliminating this funding would have undermined efforts to meet growing behavioral health needs across the country.
About CSWE’s Minority Fellowship Program (MFP)
For more than 50 years, the MFP has provided essential funding, training, mentorship, and support to students pursing master's and doctoral degrees in social work who have chosen to serve those at risk for mental health and/or substance abuse disorders. The primary goal and priority of the MFP is to expand and strengthen the behavioral health workforce in the United States.
The MFP is and has always been open to all students regardless of age, gender, disability or ability, ethnicity, race, religious affiliation, or political ideology. There are more than 1,200 MFP alumni providing essential, vital services to people—including some of our most vulnerable populations—in urban and rural communities throughout the country.