State Offices of Rural Health Program
Can you apply?
This grant is for State Offices of Rural Health organizations seeking funding to strengthen rural health infrastructure and capacity. Eligible applicants are typically state governmental entities with established offices dedicated to rural health coordination, as well as organizations that partner with state offices to improve healthcare access in rural areas. Activities supported include workforce development, health professional recruitment and retention, rural health infrastructure improvements, telehealth expansion, and coordination of rural health initiatives across state lines. The program targets underserved rural communities and supports strategic planning and implementation of rural health improvement projects. Geographic scope is nationwide, with emphasis on improving health outcomes in rural and frontier regions.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Key dates
- Jun 8, 2026 Applications open
- Jul 1, 2026 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2026 Project start
- Jul 10, 2026 Application deadline in 27 days
Program description
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.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 Federal Application form
- SF-424 Supp (Supplemental form)
- Project narrative/program description
- Detailed budget and budget justification
- Organizational capacity and staffing plan
- Letters of support from state health department and rural healthcare partners
- Data on state's rural health needs assessment
- Strategic plan or work plan with timelines and milestones
- Evidence of organizational experience in rural health coordination
- Evaluation plan with measurable outcomes
Program contact
- 👤 Sarah Ndiang'ui
- 📧 sndiangui@hrsa.gov
- 📞 (301) 443-0876
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.913 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$27,197,215
-
$19,123,998
-
$6,448,884
-
$1,526,320
-
$1,526,320
-
$1,526,319
-
$1,526,319
-
$1,526,319
-
$1,526,319
-
$1,526,319
Top States by Funding
- ND 2 awards $28.7M
- DC 1 awards $19.1M
- MI 2 awards $7.9M
- SC 1 awards $1.5M
- WI 1 awards $1.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.913). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $11,913,756 | |
| 2025 | $12,308,756 | |
| 2026 est. | $12,113,756 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
Typically state governmental entities with established offices of rural health, and organizations designated as official state offices of rural health can apply. Some programs also accept consortiums and partnerships led by state entities.
What types of activities does this grant fund?
Common activities include rural health workforce development, provider recruitment and retention, health infrastructure improvements, telehealth and digital health initiatives, rural health planning, and coordination of rural health programs within states.
How competitive is this funding?
Moderately competitive. Strong applications demonstrate clear state-level rural health priorities, partnerships with healthcare providers and communities, and a track record of improving rural health access and outcomes.
What is the typical funding range?
Award amounts vary but typically range from several hundred thousand to over a million dollars annually, depending on state needs and program focus areas.
When is the application deadline?
Check Grants.gov or the HRSA website for specific deadline dates, as they may vary by funding cycle. Applications often have compressed timelines once funding is announced.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure strong letters of support from rural healthcare providers, state health departments, and community stakeholders who can validate your state's rural health priorities and commitment.
- Clearly articulate how your proposed activities will measurably improve access to care, workforce retention, or health outcomes in rural communities.
- Include detailed data on your state's rural health landscape: provider shortages, geographic barriers, demographic needs, and existing assets you'll build upon.
- Develop realistic timelines and budgets that reflect the complexity of rural health infrastructure work and demonstrate how funding will be efficiently spent.
- Align your application with your state's broader health improvement initiatives and demonstrate coordination with existing state health offices and programs.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often fail by submitting vague proposals without specific, measurable outcomes or by underestimating the complexity of rural healthcare coordination. Many applications lack adequate data on their state's rural health challenges or fail to demonstrate genuine partnerships with rural providers and communities. Weak applications also often lack clear sustainability plans or fail to show how the program will continue beyond federal funding.
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