Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program

The Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA is responsible for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated, or medically vulnerable. Through targeted funding opportunities, HRSA supports programs that strengthen health systems, workforce capacity, and service delivery, particularly in rural and underserved communities. This specific program is designed to enhance the operational and clinical effectiveness of Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), which play a critical role in delivering primary care in rural areas. The purpose of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program is to fund a single entity to provide comprehensive technical assistance to RHCs nationwide. The funded organization will identify key policy, regulatory, programmatic, and clinical issues impacting RHCs and provide guidance to address these challenges. The program emphasizes improving health care delivery by ensuring that RHCs have access to relevant information, tools, and resources that can enhance care quality and operational sustainability. It also aims to facilitate communication and knowledge-sharing among rural health stakeholders. Funding under this opportunity is provided through a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement from HRSA in the implementation of the program. The total estimated program funding is $110,000, with one anticipated award. Funds are intended to support activities such as research, dissemination of best practices, development of technical assistance resources, and direct support services for RHCs. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this funding opportunity, which lowers the financial barrier for eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include a broad range of domestic entities such as state, local, and tribal governments; public and private institutions of higher education; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status; small businesses; and other for-profit organizations. Eligibility is restricted to domestic organizations located within U.S. states and territories, including Puerto Rico and other affiliated jurisdictions. This wide eligibility scope is intended to attract organizations with diverse expertise and capacity to support rural health systems effectively. The application process is expected to be conducted electronically through Grants.gov. Applicants must submit their complete application package by the stated deadline, which is anticipated to be May 28, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast notice, applicants can expect standard federal grant requirements such as project narratives, budgets, and organizational documentation. HRSA typically evaluates applications based on criteria such as program impact, organizational capability, and alignment with program objectives. The timeline for this opportunity includes an estimated posting date of April 28, 2026, followed by a one-month application window. Awards are expected to be issued by June 1, 2026, with a project start date of July 1, 2026. As a forecasted opportunity, these dates are subject to change until the official notice of funding opportunity is released. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare in advance. For additional information, applicants may contact Lindsey Nienstedt at HRSA via phone at (301) 443-2843 or by email at lnienstedt@hrsa.gov. This opportunity does not currently provide a direct link to a full funding announcement document. Organizations interested in applying should ensure they are registered in required federal systems and prepared to submit electronically once the opportunity is officially posted.