Behavioral Health Innovation Grant Program (BHIP)

Intent

The Behavioral Health Innovation Grant Program (BHIP) centers directly on resolving Texas’ critical shortage of mental health professionals by providing incentive payments to two-year public institutions of higher education to study the needs of state related to mental health professionals, educators, school administrators, and related professionals overseeing mental health programs and the delivery of mental health services.

The goal of the program is to address statewide need to reduce obstacles by connecting students to education and training pathways that lead to credentials of value and employment in high-need behavioral health occupations. The Program is intended to strengthen the state’s behavioral health workforce pipeline by increasing the number of qualified professionals in mental health and related fields including social work, counseling, and paraprofessionals occupations.

The Behavioral Health Innovation Grant Program (BHIP) is established to support the development and expansion of innovative programs that recruit, train, and retain mental health professionals and professionals in related fields to address behavioral health workforce shortages across the state of Texas. The program is designed to provide funding to eligible institutions of higher education that implement strategies to strengthen the behavioral health workforce pipeline and improve access to care, particularly in rural and medically underserved areas.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include Public 2-year institutions of Higher Education that provide academic programs to increase the number of mental health professionals.

Additional eligibility requirements, application instructions, funding information, and program expectations are outlined in the official Request for Applications (RFA) for the Behavioral Health Innovation Grant Program (BHIP).

How to Apply

Accepting Applications

To apply for the BHIP click on the link below and follow the instructions outlined in the Request for Application/Application. All submittals must be complete (inclusive of required signatures, acknowledgments, required attachments, etc.) and received by the posted due date. Incomplete and late submittals will not be considered for award.

Application Information

Application Information

Applications submitted under the Behavioral Health Innovation Program (BHIP) must support experience for Texas public community college in recruiting, training, and retaining mental health professionals in fields related to social work, counseling, and paraprofessionals.

For the 2027–2028 biennium, the 89th Texas Legislature appropriated $5,000,000 for the Behavioral Health Innovation Program.

To apply for the Behavioral Health Innovation Program (BHIP), 2027/2028, follow the instructions outlined in the Request for Application/Application. All submittals must be complete (inclusive of required signatures, acknowledgments, required attachments, etc.) and received by the posted due date. Incomplete and late submittals will not be considered for award.

Apply through GMS

Important Dates

Rules and Regulations

The Behavioral Health Innovation Program (BHIP) was established in 2026 and is authorized under Texas Education Code, Chapter 61, Subchapter RR, §§61.9991–61.9996. Funding for the program is appropriated through the General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill 1, Article III, Strategy D.1.13, and Rider 66 of the 88th Texas Legislature.

Impact

The Behavioral Health Innovation Program (BHIP) provides funding for programs that increase graduation and training rates of mental health professionals, including faculty stipends. By expanding training opportunities and building behavioral health workforce capacity, particularly in areas experiencing shortages, BHIP contributes to the state’s broader goal of developing a skilled workforce that supports the economic and overall well-being of Texas communities.

By funding innovative recruitment, training, and retention strategies, the program will inject a steady stream of newly graduated professionals into the Texas healthcare market. Target roles include:

• Psychiatrists and psychologists
• Licensed professional counselors (LPCs)
• Licensed marriage and family therapists (LMFTs)
• Licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs)
• Related behavioral health and support professionals

$5,000,000 is currently appropriated for the 2027-2028 biennium, supporting up to 5 grant awards.

Grant Cycle