Rapid Response Rural Data Analysis and Issue Specific Rural Research Studies

The Rapid Response Rural Data Analysis and Issue Specific Rural Research Studies program, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), offers funding under a cooperative agreement to enhance rural health outcomes through rapid, data-driven research. HRSA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports initiatives aimed at improving access to health services for underserved and vulnerable populations. This specific opportunity seeks to provide stakeholders with timely access to research and analysis on pressing and emerging rural health issues that impact healthcare delivery, policy, and infrastructure in rural America. The primary objective of this program is to generate high-quality, policy-relevant research that supports evidence-based decision-making for rural health systems. This includes rapid analyses of new policies, regulatory changes, or environmental factors that affect rural health. The funded research will help stakeholders, including federal agencies, state offices of rural health, and healthcare providers, to better understand and respond to rural health challenges. The intent is to support a range of studies addressing immediate or emerging rural health concerns, especially those that require swift data analysis and dissemination. The scope of funding under this program allows for a wide array of research studies, provided they focus on specific, time-sensitive rural health topics. These may include the effects of healthcare policy changes, rural hospital closures, behavioral health trends, or healthcare workforce issues. The cooperative agreement model implies close collaboration between HRSA and the recipient, including HRSA’s involvement in planning and guidance. While the opportunity outlines a total funding pool of $600,000 with a maximum award of $600,000, it is structured as a single-award program, meaning only one recipient will be selected to carry out the full scope of research activities. No matching funds or cost sharing is required for eligibility. Eligibility for the program is broad and inclusive. A wide range of domestic applicants may apply, including public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, state and local governments, tribal entities (both federally recognized and other tribal organizations), non-profit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), and small and for-profit businesses. However, all applicants must be based in U.S. states or territories, as foreign organizations are not eligible. This reinforces HRSA’s focus on supporting domestic rural health infrastructure and research capacity. Applications will be accepted electronically, with an estimated opening date of March 3, 2026, and a final submission deadline of April 17, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. All applications must be submitted through Grants.gov. The anticipated award date is June 1, 2026, and the project is expected to begin on July 1, 2026. There is no mention of pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers. Applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance and consult the listed program contact for any clarifications. The primary contact for this opportunity is Karis Tyner, who can be reached by phone at (301) 287-2615 or via email at ktyner@hrsa.gov. As a forecasted opportunity, this grant is expected to recur annually. Based on the estimated due date and the current analysis date of December 29, 2025, the next anticipated due date will likely fall in April 2027. Interested parties should monitor HRSA’s website and Grants.gov for updates as the estimated post date of March 3, 2026 approaches.