Rural Community Health Support Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for rural health organizations seeking to strengthen community health services and infrastructure. Eligible applicants include rural health clinics, critical access hospitals, rural health networks, and nonprofits serving rural communities. Funding supports activities that expand primary care capacity, improve health workforce recruitment, and enhance service delivery in underserved rural areas.
Geographic focus is primarily non-metropolitan counties and designated rural areas. Applicants must demonstrate community need and commit to serving low-income and uninsured populations. Organizations should show ability to sustain programs beyond the grant period.
Key dates
- Feb 18, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 24, 2026 Application deadline in 23 days
- Aug 1, 2026 Award announced
- Sep 1, 2026 Project start
This grant is for rural health organizations seeking to strengthen community health services and infrastructure. Eligible applicants include rural health clinics, critical access hospitals, rural health networks, and nonprofits serving rural communities. Funding supports activities that expand primary care capacity, improve health workforce recruitment, and enhance service delivery in underserved rural areas.
Geographic focus is primarily non-metropolitan counties and designated rural areas. Applicants must demonstrate community need and commit to serving low-income and uninsured populations. Organizations should show ability to sustain programs beyond the grant period.
Program description
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Rural Health Clinic
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for rural health organizations seeking to strengthen community health services and infrastructure. Eligible applicants include rural health clinics, critical access hospitals, rural health networks, and nonprofits serving rural communities. Funding supports activities that expand primary care capacity, improve health workforce recruitment, and enhance service delivery in underserved rural areas.
Geographic focus is primarily non-metropolitan counties and designated rural areas. Applicants must demonstrate community need and commit to serving low-income and uninsured populations. Organizations should show ability to sustain programs beyond the grant period.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Federal Application for Grants and Cooperative Agreements)
- Project Narrative (typically 15-25 pages)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification
- Letter(s) of Organizational Support
- Community Needs Assessment or Health Assessment Data
- Letters of Support from Community Partners
- Evaluation Plan with Specific Measurable Outcomes
- Organizational Capacity documentation (audited financials, organizational chart)
- Timeline with deliverables and milestones
Program contact
- 👤 Michele Gibson
- 📧 mgibson@hrsa.gov
- 📞 301.443.7320
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.912 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$70,177,717
-
$59,045,122
-
$27,083,330
-
$27,032,585
-
$25,676,176
-
$15,000,000
-
$12,672,053
-
$12,005,244
-
$8,524,119
-
$7,524,844
Top States by Funding
- MN 7 awards $111.3M
- MD 2 awards $71.7M
- KY 7 awards $49.1M
- NY 3 awards $31.7M
- VT 2 awards $30.1M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.912). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $47,951,750 | |
| 2025 | $48,828,443 | |
| 2026 est. | $48,828,443 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Rural health clinics, critical access hospitals, rural health networks, nonprofits, and public health departments serving rural populations are typically eligible. Your organization must be located in or primarily serve a designated rural area.
What types of projects can this grant fund?
Funding typically supports workforce development, primary care expansion, equipment, facility improvements, and programs that improve health access in rural communities.
What is the typical funding range for awards?
Award amounts vary by competition, but rural health grants typically range from $75,000 to $500,000+ depending on scope and need.
How competitive is this program?
This is a competitive federal program. Success requires strong community needs assessment, demonstrated organizational capacity, and clear outcomes.
When should I submit my application?
The application portal typically opens in early 2026. Check the official HRSA announcement for specific deadlines and submission requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start early: federal health grants require detailed budgets, letters of support, and evaluation plans. Begin 8-12 weeks before deadline.
- Ground your proposal in data: use rural health statistics, community health assessments, and workforce data to show local need and justification.
- Demonstrate sustainability: explain how you'll fund the project beyond the grant period through billing, local fundraising, or fee structures.
- Show partnership: include letters of support from community partners, health centers, local health departments, and local government.
- Focus on measurable outcomes: specify how you'll track progress on health access, workforce retention, patient volume, or quality metrics.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants underestimate the time and data needed to justify rural health need. Many proposals lack clear evaluation metrics or sustainability plans. Few demonstrate adequate community buy-in and partnership letters early enough.
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