The Fall Application Cycle is now open.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Important Information for Grant Funding Applicants
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Instructor. The application process for grant funded Instructor Training is designed to promote a fair and thorough review of all applicants. Below are some key details to keep in mind as you complete your application.
Grant Funding Process (Starting Fall 2024)
This scholarship application is part of a recently revised grant funding process to better ensure we are serving prioritized communities effectively. Moving forward, the application cycle will open two times per year in May and November, each with a 30-day window to complete your submission.
Important Dates |
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* Training date includes a built in 4th day Y/MHFA training (on Monday) so that candidates can satisfy the Y/MHFA training prerequisite requirement. Participation in this additional day is at no cost to the candidate. While optional, candidates who have already met this requirement are encouraged to attend to assure the content and flow of the training remains fresh.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for grant-funded Instructor Training, all applicants must meet the following prerequisites before attending training:
Completion of a MHFA or YMHFA Community Course
- You must have completed the full 8-hour MHFA or YMHFA course prior to Instructor Training. This course may be taken through MHAMD or any certified instructor across the country.
- If you are applying for MHFA Instructor Training, you must hold an active MHFA certification, meaning you completed the course within 3 years of the training date.
- If you are applying for YMHFA Instructor Training, you must hold an active YMHFA certification, meaning you completed the course within 3 years of the training date.
- New for 2025: Applicants who have completed the course within 6 months of their application submission, or who plan to take a Y/MHFA training between this application and their instructor training, will receive one extra point during evaluation. Due to significant curriculum updates introduced in Spring 2025, completing the course within this timeframe provides a more up-to-date learning experience.
Instructor Training Pre-Orientation (New Requirement)
- Candidates must complete a required one-hour Orientation before attending Instructor Training. This orientation covers expectations, onboarding, technology needs, and how to prepare to launch courses after certification. We recommend registering as early as possible, especially for those who plan to apply for grant funding. You do not need to wait until your application is submitted to attend.
- All grant-funded candidates will be required to attend orientation. Attendance is strong recommend for tuition-based candidates.
Reminder: Both of the prerequisites can be completed in advance of the submission cycle.
Application Evaluation
Please review the evaluation criteria and justifications to help you prepare for your application.
- Objective Scoring: The majority of your application will be scored based on your responses to specific questions. This scoring is automatic and awarded points change between cycles based on program and funder goals.
- Subjective Review: While many questions will be scored objectively, there are also open-ended questions that will be scored based on the answers provided. These questions allow you to express your unique perspective, and we encourage you to be thoughtful and thorough in your responses.
- Anonymized Review Process: We will anonymize responses during the review process. Reviewers will not have access to any identifying information outside of what you share in your open-ended responses.
Please note, we cannot guarantee everyone will receive grant funding, as each cycle will be specific to the available grant funds, which are very limited. Additionally, we will no longer offer waitlists for grant-funded training spots between application cycles. Therefore, it is best practice to save your application responses for potential resubmission in future cycles.
Application Tips:
- Take your time to craft your answers, particularly for the open-ended questions. Make sure your responses stay within the given word limits.
- Prepare Responses in Advance: We recommend writing your answers in a separate document (such as Word or Google Docs) before pasting them into the online application form. This will allow you to check your word count, proofread, and ensure clarity before submitting.
Application Deadline:
Please ensure that you submit your completed application no later than Nov 30th. Late applications will not be accepted.
If you have any questions during the application process, please contact our support team at MHFAtraining@mhamd.org. Good luck, and we look forward to reviewing your application!
Ready to apply?