Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for rural health clinics and organizations that support rural healthcare delivery seeking to strengthen operations and clinical services. Eligible recipients typically include rural health clinics (RHCs) operating under the Medicare/Medicaid programs, community health centers in rural areas, critical access hospitals, and rural health networks. The program provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to help clinics improve management practices, expand services, implement electronic health records, enhance quality metrics, and address workforce shortages. Geographic focus is on medically underserved rural communities. Activities supported include consulting services, training programs, quality improvement initiatives, and strategic planning assistance to strengthen organizational infrastructure and clinical operations.
Key dates
- May 6, 2026 Applications open
- Jun 18, 2026 Application deadline in 16 days
- Jul 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
This grant is for rural health clinics and organizations that support rural healthcare delivery seeking to strengthen operations and clinical services. Eligible recipients typically include rural health clinics (RHCs) operating under the Medicare/Medicaid programs, community health centers in rural areas, critical access hospitals, and rural health networks. The program provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to help clinics improve management practices, expand services, implement electronic health records, enhance quality metrics, and address workforce shortages. Geographic focus is on medically underserved rural communities. Activities supported include consulting services, training programs, quality improvement initiatives, and strategic planning assistance to strengthen organizational infrastructure and clinical operations.
Program description
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Community Health Center
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- 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 clinics and organizations that support rural healthcare delivery seeking to strengthen operations and clinical services. Eligible recipients typically include rural health clinics (RHCs) operating under the Medicare/Medicaid programs, community health centers in rural areas, critical access hospitals, and rural health networks. The program provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to help clinics improve management practices, expand services, implement electronic health records, enhance quality metrics, and address workforce shortages. Geographic focus is on medically underserved rural communities. Activities supported include consulting services, training programs, quality improvement initiatives, and strategic planning assistance to strengthen organizational infrastructure and clinical operations.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) and SF-424 Supplement
- Project narrative describing clinic need, proposed technical assistance activities, and expected outcomes
- Budget and budget narrative with itemized costs
- Organizational capacity statement and key personnel resumes
- Letters of support from clinic leadership and board
- Current clinic financial statements and operational data (patient volume, staffing, service mix)
- Description of clinic's participation in Medicare/Medicaid RHC program
- Timeline and performance metrics for the technical assistance project
- Organizational chart and governing board documentation
- Documentation of clinic's current IT systems and health IT readiness (if applicable)
Program contact
- 👤 Lindsey Nienstedt
- 📧 lnienstedt@hrsa.gov
- 📞 (301) 443-2843
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 93.692 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.692). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $5,198,990 | |
| 2025 | $4,731,238 | |
| 2026 est. | $3,660,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this technical assistance program?
Primary candidates are established rural health clinics (RHCs) that participate in the Medicare/Medicaid program, along with other organizations that directly support rural health clinic operations, such as rural health networks and state offices of rural health.
What types of technical assistance are typically funded?
Common funding supports operational consulting, workforce development training, health IT implementation, quality improvement projects, financial management assistance, and strategic planning services designed to strengthen clinic infrastructure.
Can rural clinics apply directly, or must they work with an intermediary organization?
This varies by grant cycle. Some HRSA programs require clinics to work with intermediary organizations or grantee partners, while others allow direct clinic applications. Check current NOFO for application pathway requirements.
How competitive is this funding?
HRSA technical assistance grants are moderately competitive. Success requires demonstrating clear clinic need, specific improvement goals, and capacity to implement recommended changes. Strong applications include letters of support from clinic leadership and specific outcome metrics.
What is the typical funding range and project duration?
HRSA technical assistance programs typically fund projects in the $50,000-$300,000 range with performance periods of 1-3 years, though exact amounts vary by the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly articulate your clinic's specific operational challenges and barriers to growth or quality improvement. Vague problems won't convince reviewers that technical assistance is the right intervention.
- Include letters of support from your clinic's medical director, board chair, and clinic leadership demonstrating buy-in for the proposed improvements and willingness to implement recommendations.
- Use baseline data to show current state (patient volumes, service capacity, staffing gaps, quality metrics) and propose realistic, measurable targets for improvement through the technical assistance period.
- Identify a qualified consulting partner or technical assistance provider early if your organization lacks internal capacity. Reviewers want confidence that recommendations will actually be implemented.
- Connect your improvement goals to national healthcare priorities like workforce development, health equity, telehealth expansion, or chronic disease management to align with HRSA's strategic focus.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when clinics describe generic capacity needs without connecting them to specific operational problems or gaps. Reviewers want to see data showing exactly how technical assistance will improve service delivery or financial sustainability. Another frequent issue is underestimating the commitment required—HRSA expects clinics to dedicate staff time and resources to implementing recommendations, not just attend training sessions. Finally, many applications lack specific partnerships or consulting arrangements, leaving reviewers uncertain whether recommendations will actually be adopted and sustained after the grant period ends.
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