Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin AI policy
In short
SAMHSA has no AI rule of its own on using AI to write or review grant applications. The only guidance that reaches its applicants comes from HHS's Office of Research Integrity (ORI), which recommends that you identify any generative AI tools used in preparing a grant application and explain how you used them. ORI's guidance is a nonbinding recommendation, and it covers applications for PHS-funded biomedical or behavioral research only. Disclosed AI use that departs from accepted practice in your field may still be considered evidence of research misconduct. Most SAMHSA grants are service programs it does not cover. Check each NOFO for added rules.
These rules come from HHS Office of Research Integrity (PHS research misconduct rule, 42 CFR Part 93), which sets policy for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin applicants.
For applicants
- SAMHSA has no AI rule of its own. For research applications, HHS's Office of Research Integrity recommends that you identify any generative AI tools you used in preparing the grant application and explain how you used them. This is nonbinding guidance under the HHS research misconduct rule (42 CFR Part 93), which covers applications for SAMHSA research funding.[1][2]
- Disclosed AI use that departs from accepted practice in your field may still be considered evidence of research misconduct. Undisclosed or inaccurately described data generation or processing with AI tools may be evidence of data fabrication or falsification.[1]
Sources
- [1]Guidance for Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct, 42 CFR Part 93 (2024): Generative Artificial Intelligence
HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Research Integrity, August 14, 2026
“Researchers should identify any generative AI tools used during their research and manuscript and grant preparation and explain how these tools were used.”
“This guidance document is provided by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) to assist entities that apply for or receive Public Health Service (PHS) funding for biomedical or behavioral research”
“This guidance document does not create or confer rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind ORI, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the public.”
“If a researcher discloses use of a generative AI tool in a manner inconsistent with the accepted practices of the relevant research community, that use may still be considered evidence of research misconduct.”
“undisclosed or inaccurately described data generation or processing with AI tools may be evidence of data fabrication or falsification.”
- [2]42 CFR Part 93, Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct (sections 93.102 and 93.229)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations)
“the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Indian Health Service, the National Institutes of Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and any other components of HHS designated or established as components of the Public Health Service.”
“Every extramural or intramural institution that applies for or receives PHS support for biomedical or behavioral research, biomedical or behavioral research training, or activities related to that research or research training must comply with this part.”
This page summarizes published guidance and is not legal advice. Policies change, and a specific solicitation can add its own rules, so confirm against the funding announcement before you apply. See every funder's AI policy.