The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) within the Department of Health and Human Services has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to support the development and validation of screening assays for discovering validated chemical hits aimed at treating mental illnesses. The funding opportunity (NOFO number PAR-23-168) emphasizes three key research stages: assay development, primary screen implementation, and hit validation. Applications are encouraged from various eligible organizations, including higher education institutions, nonprofits, and for-profit organizations, allowing diverse applicants to participate in advancing mental health research. Funding is available for projects that propose innovative biological models and screening techniques relevant to psychiatric disorders like depression and schizophrenia. The application deadlines span from June 2023 to May 2026, but only projects not proposing clinical trials are eligible. Although there is no cap on application budgets, they must reflect actual project needs. The review process will evaluate factors including significance, innovation, and the appropriateness of the research approach. The overarching goal is to enhance drug discovery processes for psychiatric treatments, ultimately contributing to NIMH's mission of alleviating suffering from mental health disorders.