Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship Program

HCAI is offering the Medi-Cal Behavioral Scholarship Program as part of the Behavioral Health Community-Based Organized Networks of Equitable Care and Treatment (BH-CONNECT) Workforce Initiative. The goal of the Medi-Cal Behavioral Health Scholarship Program (MBH-SP) is to support scholarships for individuals pursuing behavioral health degrees or certifications. 

Grant Funding#

The state will provide up to $240,000 in scholarship funding to eligible individuals participating in educational programs to become licensed, prescribing behavioral health practitioners, with a four-year service obligation. 

Individuals participating in educational programs to become non-prescribing licensed practitioners are eligible for up to $180K, with a four-year service obligation. 

• Individuals participating in educational programs to become non-prescribing, non-licensed practitioners are eligible for up to $120K; with the following service obligation:  
  • $20K or greater is four years  
  • $10K – $20K is three years  
  • Less than $10K is two years

Service Obligation Requirements#

HCAI will provide further guidance on this process as this page is updated, and resources are made available.  

Safety Net Setting Requirements#

Programs will train new residents and fellows in one or more of these safety net settings: 

• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC)
• Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC) as defined and certified by the California Department of Public Health
• Rural Health Clinics (RHC)
• Settings with the following payer mix:
  • Hospitals with 40% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population
  • Rural hospitals with 30% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population
  • Other behavioral health settings with 40% or higher Medicaid and/or uninsured population

Application Dates#

Open February 2, 2026
Close March 16, 2026

Contact Us#

Email: MBHSP@hcai.ca.gov

Phone: 916-326-3899 
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.