Illinois Rural Health Initiative–REACH: Rural Education, Access, Careers, and Health
🏛 Illinois Community College Board
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Aug 17, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for community colleges and healthcare organizations in rural Illinois that want to expand clinical and allied health workforce programs.
Eligible applicants include Illinois community colleges, health systems, workforce development boards, and registered apprenticeship programs serving rural areas. The program focuses on expanding healthcare workforce pipelines through enhanced programs and student supports.
Funding supports expansion of high-need healthcare programs, increased instructional and clinical capacity, enhanced student supports, and workforce partnerships. Innovative delivery models addressing rural barriers are prioritized.
All activities must strengthen healthcare workforce development in rural Illinois communities.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The purpose of this funding is to strengthen healthcare workforce pipelines in rural Illinois through the expansion and enhancement of the professional clinical and allied health workforce. More specifically, funding will support: expansion of high-need healthcare programs, increased instructional and clinical capacity, enhanced student supports, workforce partnerships, innovative delivery models that address rural barriers. This grant program utilizes federal CMS RHT Program funds. The total amount of funding expected to be awarded
through this NDFI is up to $29 million in year 1 and up to a total of $149 million across years 1-5, subject to continued
funding and program approval. Funding in future years is subject to CMS’ continuation, review, and award of future RHT
Program grant funding. The release of this NDFI does not obligate the Department to make an award. Federal Assistance Listing: 93.798. Administered by the Illinois Community College Board via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 684-00-4097).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Community College
- Community Health Center
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Rural Health Clinic
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Grant application form (via Illinois GATA system)
- Organizational background and capacity documentation
- Letters of support from healthcare partners and employers
- Healthcare workforce needs assessment for service area
- Detailed project narrative describing programs and capacity expansion
- Budget narrative with itemized costs and justification
- Evaluation plan with workforce outcome measures
Program contact
- 👤 Ann Storey
- 📧 ann.l.storey@illinois.gov
- 📞 217-558-4635
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.798 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$281,319,361
-
$272,174,856
-
$233,639,308
-
$233,509,359
-
$223,476,949
-
$221,898,008
-
$218,862,170
-
$218,529,075
-
$216,276,818
-
$213,008,356
Top States by Funding
- TX 1 awards $281.3M
- AK 1 awards $272.2M
- CA 1 awards $233.6M
- MT 1 awards $233.5M
- OK 1 awards $223.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Illinois community colleges, health systems, workforce boards, and apprenticeship programs in rural areas are eligible. Fiscal agents and partnerships with healthcare providers are typical.
What is the funding level and timeline?
Year 1 funding reaches up to $29 million across the state. Multi-year awards are possible through year 5 if CMS continues funding.
What activities are supported?
Expansion of healthcare programs, clinical capacity increases, student support services, and workforce partnerships. Rural-focused delivery models are prioritized.
How competitive is this funding?
Very competitive. Large funding pool attracts strong applicants. Clear alignment with rural healthcare workforce gaps strengthens proposals.
What costs can be covered?
Program expansion, instructional development, clinical partnerships, student supports, and staffing are typical allowable uses. Budget narrative justifying costs is required.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate clear healthcare workforce gaps in your rural service area with labor market data and employer input.
- Partner with local hospitals, clinics, and healthcare employers early to ensure workforce demand alignment.
- Show specific capacity constraints (student demand exceeds seats) and how funding will address them.
- Develop innovative delivery models addressing rural barriers like distance, transportation, or clinical placement access.
- Build strong evaluation plans measuring workforce pipeline outcomes and healthcare job placements.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Weak partnerships with healthcare employers or unclear workforce demand alignment. Lack of specific capacity expansion goals or measurable student outcome metrics. Insufficient attention to rural-specific delivery barriers or innovation in program design.
Similar grants
- OPEN Rural Health Network Development Program — Health Resources and Services Administration
- OPEN Rural Health Network Development Planning Program — Health Resources and Services Administration
- OPEN Rural Health Value Program — Health Resources and Services Administration
- CLOSED Forecast to Publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement for Addressing Determinants of Health Disparities Among Rural Populations (R01 – Clinical Trial Optional) — National Institutes of Health
- OPEN Public Health Nursing — Indian Health Service