Rural Health
Programs specifically targeting rural health challenges.
Rural Emergency Medical Services Training
This program recruits and trains EMS personnel to provide immediate emergency care and rapid hospital transport in rural communities. As first responders, EMS personnel deliver life-saving interventions—such as opioid overdose reversal, buprenorphine initiation, CPR, and oxygen administration—helping reduce strain on local hospital resources.
Regional Pediatric Prevention Network
The purpose of this program is to support a Regional Pediatric Prevention Network (RPPN). The RPPN strengthens local and regional capacity to care for children during disasters and emergencies through community partnerships, coordinated pediatric preparedness, and dissemination of research-informed pediatric disaster care. The RPPN will include at least 10 children’s hospitals, or their university pediatric partners, funded through two primary awards. It will also include community partners working with these hospitals. Each of the 10 Children’s Hospital centers will advance pediatric emergency and disaster preparedness at the local, regional, and national levels, including for children with special health care needs and behavioral health concerns, children living in poverty, and children in rural, remote, and tribal areas.
Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program
The Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program provides direct financial assistance to eligible small hospitals to help stabilize operations and sustain access to care in financially vulnerable communities. Eligible hospitals must have no more than 50 inpatient beds and a Medicare wage index value below 0.90. The program is designed to provide targeted support to hospitals facing structural payment disadvantages, with the goal of maintaining essential services and preventing avoidable closures.
Nurse Education, Practice, Quality, and Retention - Transition to Practice Program (NEPQR-TPP)
The Nurse Education, Pracitce, Quality and Retention - Transition to Practice Program (NEPQR-TPP) aims to increase the nursing workforce and address the nursing shortage in rural and medically underserved communities, by supporting innovative educational and clinical training opportunities.
Delta Rural Integrated Health Network Program
The Delta Rural Integrated Health Network Program seeks to improve healthcare delivery in the region by supporting the development of integrated health networks among rural hospitals, primary care clinics, behavioral health providers and other essential services.
Rural Community Health Support Program
The purpose of the Rural Community Health Support Program cooperative agreement is to develop, deliver, and coordinate nationally available technical assistance that supports community-based organizations and rural health stakeholders serving rural populations to improve and expand delivery and access to quality care for rural communities.
2026 Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program
The USDA Forest Service is delivering the Community Wood Energy and Wood Innovation Program (Community Wood) to support the Rural Revitalization Technologies 7 U.S.C. Sec. 8113 and Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 Pub. L. 115-334 Sec. 9013, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) Pub. L. 117-58 Div. J Title VI which directly support the installation of thermally led community wood energy systems or development and expansion of innovative wood product facilities. The intent of the Community Wood is to support forest health and stimulate local economies by expanding renewable wood energy use and innovative wood products manufacturing capacity. The Forest Service solicits proposals for projects that will achieve the following: Expand thermally led community wood energy or innovative wood product opportunities; Improve Forest health; and Stimulate local economies. This funding opportunity is intended for shovel ready projects that will not require additional funding or time to complete after the award period. Examples of eligible projects include, but are not limited to: Install a thermally led community wood energy system for heating, cooling, and/or electricity that replaces fossil fuels such as coal, oil, propane, or natural gas. Purchase and install manufacturing equipment at a mass timber production facility. Expand a sawmill to add higher value production lines that incorporate innovative technologies and cost cutting measures. Purchase and install equipment at a new facility to produce biofuels from forest residues. All awards are based on funding availability. The Forest Service plans to award up to $6 million in total awards under this announcement. The maximum for each award is $1 million to pay for up to 35% of total capital costs. The Forest Service may consider awarding up to $1.5 million (for up to 50% of total capital costs) for a proposal that warrants special consideration, especially for projects located in areas of high unemployment. Matching funds are not required; however, leveraging is required. Applicants must contribute the remaining funds (leveraged funds) necessary to complete the project above and beyond the requested Forest Service funding. For example, if an applicant requests Forest Service funding for 35% of the total capital costs of the project, then the applicant must commit to providing 65% of the total capital costs of the project. In this example, the 65% of the total capital costs are considered the required leveraged funds. Even though leveraged funds have a lower reporting burden and fewer legal requirements than matching funds, applicants must adhere to requirements for leveraged funds. Leveraged funds must be from non-federal sources and be committed within the grant timeframe. Moreover, if third-party organizations contribute to the leveraged funds requirement, then applicants must submit with their proposal package commitment letters from the third-party organizations confirming the amount of leveraging being committed. A pre-recorded webcast that presents information on applying for this funding opportunity can be found at FY26 Community Wood Pre-Application Webcast (Available by 2/20) Additional details on the funding opportunity can be found at Wood Innovations Homepage Instructions on how to apply for funding and the official application can be downloaded at the following weblinks: Instructions FY26 Community Wood Program Community Wood Grant Application (FS-1500-0051) Community Wood Grant Factsheet
2026 Wood Innovations Grant Funding Opportunity
The USDA Forest Service requests proposals to substantially expand and accelerate wood energy and wood products markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs on National Forest System and other forest lands. The grants and agreements awarded under this announcement will support the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 Pub. L. 115-334 Sec. 8643, Rural Revitalization Technologies 7 U.S.C. Sec. 6601, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Pub. L. 117-58 Div. J Title VI to meet the nationwide challenge of disposing of hazardous fuels and other wood residues from the National Forest System and other U.S. forest lands in a manner that supports wood products and wood energy markets. This Request for Proposals focuses on the following priorities to: 1.) Reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health on National Forest System and other forestlands; 2.) Reduce costs of forest management on all land types; 3.) Promote economic and environmental health of communities. The intent of the Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity is to stimulate, expand, and support wood products markets and wood energy markets. Projects can include, but are not limited to: Completing requirements, such as engineering designs, cost analyses, and permitting necessary, in the later stages of commercial construction projects that use wood as a primary building material and in the later stages of wood energy project development to secure financing. Early phase project development proposals will not be competitive. Developing manufacturing capacity, other necessary wood products infrastructure, and markets for wood products that support forest ecosystem restoration. Showcasing quantifiable environmental and economic benefits of using wood as a sustainable building material in an actual commercial building and the projected benefits achieved if replicated across the United States based on commercial construction market trends. Establishing statewide wood utilization teams and statewide wood energy teams. Only proposals from States without an existing (or former) team will be considered. Developing a cluster of wood energy projects in a geographic area or specific sector (e.g., prisons, hospitals, universities, manufacturing sector, or industrial sector). Overcoming market barriers and stimulating expansion of wood energy in the commercial sector. Additional details on the funding opportunity can be found at Wood Innovations Home page Instructions on how to apply for funding and the required Application Form can be downloaded at the following weblinks. **Note - Wood Innovations Application Form (FS-1500-50) has been corrected to address character/space limitations. Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity Application (FS-1500-0050) Instructions FY26 Wood Innovations Funding Opportunity Wood Innovations Application Webinar Wood Innovations Grant Factsheet Applications must be submitted in Grants.gov by 11:59 ET on April 22, 2026.
Veterinary Services Grant Program
Veterinarians play significant roles in assuring food and fiber animal health, food safety and security, public health, and producer profitability, especially in rural areas of the United States where most livestock production occurs. The VSGP, Assistance Listing 10.336, and its companion Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Services Act (NVMSA), were established to address concerns that long-term uneven distributions in the veterinary workforce have left some rural communities with insufficient access to food/large animal veterinary services. The objectives of the VSGP are to develop, implement, and sustain food animal veterinary services and relieve veterinarian shortage situations in the United States, which includes Insular Areas (see Appendix III of this NOFO for a definition of “Insular Area”), and to provide education, extension, and training programs for the food animal veterinary workforce.
State Offices of Rural Health Program
The State Office of Rural Health (SORH) Program assists states in strengthening rural health care delivery systems by maintaining a focal point for rural health. This program funds an institutional framework in each state that links small rural communities with state and federal resources to help develop long-term solutions to improve access to, and the quality of care for the nearly 60 million people living in rural communities.
Rapid Response Rural Data Analysis and Issue Specific Rural Research Studies
This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Rapid Response Rural Data Analysis and Issue Specific Rural Research Studies Program. This program will fund one entity to provide rural stakeholders with timely access to data analysis on pressing rural health issues. The goal of this award is to fund analysis that furthers understanding on emerging factors that affect rural health to improve health care in rural America.
Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program
The Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program will support the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning to improve retention of health care providers and increase access to health care services in rural and underserved areas and populations.
Rural Health Research Dissemination Program
This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Rural Health Research Dissemination Program. The purpose of this program is to fund an entity to disseminate and promote rural health services research to broad audiences, such as decision makers and rural stakeholders at national, state, and community levels. FORHP funds health services research through the Rural Health Research Center (RHRC) Program and other cooperative agreements. The successful applicant for this program will develop and maintain a website that catalogs this research so that it is easily and freely accessible to the public. The successful applicant will also develop and maintain strategies to disseminate this research through a variety of innovative mechanisms including (but not limited to) a listserv, social media accounts, presentations, and exhibits at national conferences, and webinars.
Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program
This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program. The Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance (RHC TA) Program funds an entity to provide technical assistance (TA) to Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) through targeted support, specialized expertise, and guidance. The purpose of this program is to: Identify key policy, regulatory, programmatic, and clinical issues facing RHCs.Inform RHCs and other rural stakeholders about key RHC issues that affect, or could affect, health care delivery and improve care. Identify and disseminate information on tools, resources, and strategies as possible solutions to challenges faced by RHCs.
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)-Planning
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)-Planning supports organizations in rural communities to build the partnerships and foundational capacity needed to develop, implement and sustain a comprehensive system of substance use disorder (SUD) and related services. RCORP’s focus is on opioid misuse and its impact on rural America. However, HRSA recognizes that people who misuse opioids often struggle with other substances as well, including alcohol. Individuals struggling with SUD, including opioid use disorder (OUD), need a continuum of mental, behavioral, and related social supports. RCORP-Planning helps address these needs in a comprehensive way. This program is intended for rural communities that may find the logistics or requirements of larger, more complex federal grant programs to be barriers to accessing start-up support. Funding will serve as a critical first step to creating SUD service systems that make care easy to access, strengthen the behavioral health workforce, and have strong community buy-in. It will help prepare communities to provide sustainable prevention, treatment, recovery, and other supportive services that: reduce substance use initiation and misuse,address the mental, behavioral, and psychosocial needs of people who use illicit substances or misuse alcohol, or are in recovery from substance use problems, andreduce disease and death related to substance use problems, including OUD, in high-risk rural communities.The intent of this program is to fund planning activities only. Funds may not be used for direct service delivery.
Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)-Impact
The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)–Impact funds rural communities to drive measurable improvements in access to integrated, coordinated treatment and recovery services for substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD). Its long-term aim is to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with SUD and enable sustained recovery and well-being. The program supports: New or expanded evidence-based SUD prevention, treatment, and recovery services in rural areas;Coordination across health and supportive social services to enable sustained, long-term recovery;A larger, more responsive workforce to address SUD-related needs; andMulti-sector community networks to strengthen and sustain local service delivery.The focus of RCORP-Impact is on reducing the impact of opioid misuse on rural America. However, HRSA recognizes that people who misuse opioids often struggle with other substances as well, including alcohol. Therefore, RCORP-Impact supports a comprehensive approach to address all SUD, including OUD, within a continuum of mental, behavioral, and related social supports.
Rural Residency Planning and Development Program
The Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) program improves and expands rural health care access. It does this by developing new, accredited, sustainable rural residency programs, including rural track programs (RTPs). Newly created rural physician residency programs increase training and ultimately practice in rural areas to address physician shortages. The RRPD program provides start-up funding to create new rural residency programs in qualifying medical specialties. Long-term sustainability funding must come from viable and stable sources, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and other public or private sources. Qualifying medical specialties are: Family medicine.Internal medicine.Preventive medicine.Psychiatry.General surgery.Obstetrics and gynecology.For this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), rural residency programs: Are accredited physician residency programs.Train residents in clinical training sites that are physically located in a rural area as defined by HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) for greater than 50 percent of their total time in residency.Focus on preparing physicians to practice in rural communities.
Rural Health Network Advancement Program
The Rural Health Network Advancement Program is a pilot initiative to support networks comprised of independent rural hospitals and clinics in integrated network collaboration. It bridges support to offset small scale structural barriers that make it difficult for rural providers to compete in an increasingly consolidated health care system landscape and is designed to help bring economic efficiencies to small independent rural entities by expanding and enhancing their ability to strengthen operations, preserve existing services, and build new lines of care through integrated network collaboration that preserves local autonomy.
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program
The MCH Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program establishes pathway programs that aim to expand the MCH workforce. These programs increase access to healthcare and public health services for maternal and child health (MCH) populations, including in rural or other underserved communities.
Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Foundational and Applied Science Program
The AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program supports grants in six AFRI priority areas to advance knowledge in both fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. The six priority areas are: Plant Health and Production and Plant Products; Animal Health and Production and Animal Products; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health; Bioenergy, Natural Resources, and Environment; Agriculture Systems and Technology; and Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities. Research-only, extension-only, and integrated research, education and/or extension projects are solicited in this Request for Applications (RFA). See Foundational and Applied Science RFA for specific detail.
Health Equity Data Access Program (HEDAP)
The Health Equity Data Access program (HEDAP) provides funding for six (6) “seats” in the CMS Virtual Research Data Center (VRDC). The VRDC assists researchers in gaining access to CMS restricted data for minority health research. Seats, in this context are defined as an individual user with VRDC access. These researchers will conduct health services research on health care topics such as physical health, oral health, behavioral health, population health, and social determinants of health focusing on, but not limited to, racial and ethnic minority groups; people with disabilities; members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community; individuals with limited English proficiency; individuals residing in rural areas; and individuals (including children, youth, and families) adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality. The HEDAP supports specific applied research projects that relate to creative and innovative methods utilizing CMS data to identify, document, assess, and evaluate health disparities among Medicare and Medicaid and CHIP enrollees. The project should enhance the capacity of the researcher to understand and utilize CMS data in future research projects. Additionally, HEDAP encourages cutting-edge proposals that explore intersectionality. “Intersectionality” means that people belong to more than one group and, therefore, may have overlapping health and social inequities, as well as overlapping strengths and assets. Results of the HEDAP will provide CMS and its partners, (e.g. Quality Improvement Organizations, Hospital Engagement Networks, and other stakeholders) with actionable information on the subgroups of enrollees. This will aid the efforts of CMS and its agents to identify and eradicate health disparities in underserved populations. VRDC seat access will be funded for a period of 36 months each, based on the availability of funds.