November 11, 2026 - SACRAMENTO – Home to nearly 1.5 million veterans, California is leveraging the unparalleled strength of the state’s research institutions and funding new research on psychedelic treatments to improve veterans’ health. 

Psilocybin Mushroom   Credit: DEA

The California Initiative for Precision Medicine (CIAPM) is opening a Request for Applications (RFAs) to fund psychedelic research through partnerships between California non-profit academic research institutions and veteran communities. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of certain psychedelics in treating a range of mental and behavioral health conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders. Some studies have shown great promise for treating veterans with PTSD.

The RFA will award up to $4 million in total funding to support project teams conducting psychedelic treatment research projects with veterans in California over three to four years. The funding will advance precision medicine — meaning treatments that are matched to the individual—in psychedelic research, involve veterans and benefit them directly, aim to reduce gaps in health outcomes, and leverage team expertise and partnerships.

 “Veterans bring unique life experiences that can shape their health and treatment needs,” said Lindsey Sin, Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. “By recognizing these experiences and engaging veterans directly in the research process, we can deepen our understanding of psychedelic treatments and their potential to improve health outcomes for those who have served.”

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, 41.9% of recent veteran users of VA health care had a documented mental health or substance use disorder diagnosis in 2021. Research that incorporates veterans’ experiences and perspectives can help advance understanding of these and other conditions to inform future approaches to care.

“California is committed to advancing community-centered approaches to improving health and reducing disparities,” said Kim Johnson, Secretary of California Health and Human Services. “Through this initiative, we are bringing together leading researchers and veteran communities to explore promising new approaches to care. By putting veterans’ experiences and perspectives at the center of this work, we can help ensure that research leads to meaningful, actionable solutions that improve their health and well-being.”

Funding for psychedelic treatment research was allocated by AB 113, a budget trailer bill that Governor Newsom signed earlier this year, marking the third consecutive year that the state has advanced legislation supporting research into these emerging treatments. AB 1103, signed in October 2025, expedited California’s psychedelic research approval process, and AB 2841, signed in 2024, eliminated certain barriers to research in the state. 

The California Initiative for Precision Medicine

Veterans are underrepresented in many biomedical research studies, with particularly limited representation of veterans from historically underserved communities.

CIAPM, part of the California Health and Human Services Agency, aims to enable more precise, individually targeted prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease — including addressing veterans’ behavioral health. Launched in 2015, CIAPM supports cutting-edge biomedical and health research that harnesses data to generate new insights, prioritize whole-person care, and advance community-driven solutions to reduce health inequities.

“Applying a precision medicine approach for psychedelic research in veterans ensures meaningful and actionable insights about the whole person and their lived experience, tailored approaches given the variety of psychedelic options and support, and community engagement so that veterans’ perspectives are centered,” said Dr. David Reiner, Chief Science Officer of CIAPM.

To learn more about the initiative, please visit the Precision Medicine webpage.  

More on the RFA and how to apply

RFA applicants must submit a non-binding and non-scored Letter of Intent by December 18, 2026, followed by an initial application due February 19, 2027. Please visit the CIAPM website at ciapm.chhs.ca.gov for more details on submission eligibility and requirements or contact CIAPM at ciapm@chhs.ca.gov.

Building on longstanding efforts 

Since 2019, Governor Newsom has prioritized veterans through sustained investments — more than $10.5 billion — across state government, including:

• Expanded veteran housing through Proposition 1 and the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Program.
• New consumer protections cracking down on companies that exploit veterans seeking benefits.
• Expanded mental health resources and crisis support for veterans.
• Increased investments in County Veterans Service Offices to connect veterans with federal benefits and fraud protection.
• Historic efforts to help veterans become homeowners and expand affordable housing opportunities.
• Continued support for military families facing federal disruptions and economic uncertainty.
• Signing landmark legislation protecting veterans from predatory financial actors and fraudulent claims assistance companies.
• Expanding access to mental health care and suicide prevention resources.
• Investing in veteran homeownership and affordable housing.
• Supporting military families impacted by federal workforce reductions and instability.
• Supporting LGBTQ veterans discharged under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to update their records and access education, health, burial, and other benefits available to honorably discharged service members.
• Advancing construction of the Southern California Veterans Cemetery in Orange County. 

More information about support services for veterans is available at calvet.ca.gov.

Source: Office of the White House