Rural Emergency Medical Services Training

The Rural Emergency Medical Services Training program is administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This federal initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of emergency medical services in rural areas by expanding workforce training and recruitment. SAMHSA, as a national leader in behavioral health and substance use initiatives, supports programs that address urgent health crises, including opioid overdoses and limited access to emergency care in underserved regions. The primary purpose of this program is to recruit and train EMS personnel to deliver immediate, life-saving interventions and ensure rapid transport to medical facilities in rural communities. EMS providers play a critical role as first responders, often serving as the first point of contact in emergency situations. The program emphasizes training in interventions such as opioid overdose reversal, initiation of buprenorphine treatment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and oxygen administration. These capabilities are intended to reduce mortality and alleviate pressure on rural hospitals that frequently operate with limited resources. Funding under this opportunity is expected to support a wide range of training and workforce development activities. While specific allowable costs are not detailed in the forecast, the scope clearly centers on enhancing EMS personnel readiness and expanding the rural emergency response workforce. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which lowers the barrier to entry for eligible applicants and allows organizations to fully utilize awarded funds for programmatic purposes. Eligibility for this opportunity is statutorily limited to emergency medical services agencies operated by local or Tribal governments, including both fire-based and non-fire-based agencies. In addition, nonprofit EMS agencies that qualify under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and are tax-exempt under section 501(a) are also eligible. This ensures that funding is directed specifically to organizations directly responsible for emergency medical response in rural settings. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures through Grants.gov once the opportunity is officially posted. As this is currently a forecasted opportunity, detailed application components, required forms, and evaluation criteria have not yet been released. However, applicants should anticipate requirements typical of federal discretionary grants, such as program narratives, budget justifications, and organizational capacity documentation. The opportunity is forecasted for posting on May 29, 2026, with an estimated total program funding of $13,500,000 and approximately 45 awards expected. Specific deadlines for application submission, award announcements, and project start dates have not yet been published. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor the official posting and prepare organizational documentation in advance. For additional information, SAMHSA provides a contact point via email and phone to address inquiries related to the program.