State Offices of Rural Health Program (SORH)

The State Offices of Rural Health Program (SORH), administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides funding to designated state offices to support and strengthen rural health care delivery systems. Established in 1991 and authorized under Section 338J of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 254r), this program offers competitive grant awards to eligible states with an existing State Office of Rural Health, designated by the governor. Each state is permitted one application per cycle, ensuring a dedicated point of contact for rural health strategy and resource coordination. The SORH Program supports an institutional framework in each state that serves as a central clearinghouse for rural health-related information, coordination, and technical assistance. Grant recipients are expected to fulfill three primary objectives: (1) collect and disseminate rural health information, research, and best practices; (2) coordinate rural health activities within the state to reduce redundancy and promote efficiency; and (3) provide technical assistance to public and nonprofit organizations seeking to participate in state, federal, or privately funded rural health programs. The legislation also authorizes optional activities related to workforce recruitment and retention in rural areas, and contracting with nonprofits for program delivery. HRSA anticipates awarding approximately $11.5 million annually through up to 50 grants, with each grantee eligible for up to $230,000 annually over a five-year performance period from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2026. Grantees must provide a non-federal match of at least $3 for every $1 of federal funding, which may be in cash or in-kind contributions. Waivers or reductions in match requirements are available under specific circumstances but must be separately approved post-award. Indirect costs are capped at the lesser of 15 percent of total direct costs or the applicant’s negotiated indirect cost rate agreement. Applications for the FY2021 cycle were due by February 1, 2021. The grant opportunity was posted on November 23, 2020. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and comply with HRSA’s SF-424 Application Guide. Technical assistance was offered via a webinar held on December 8, 2020. The application must include a detailed work plan aligned with program objectives, a staffing plan, organizational chart, budget, and narrative justification for all proposed costs. Evaluation criteria focus on need, response, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. Applications are reviewed based on six criteria: documented rural health needs; the applicant’s response and proposed methodology; evaluative measures and technical support capacity; anticipated impact; organizational capacity; and budget alignment. Specific required activities include promoting national rural health resources such as the Rural Health Information Hub, participating in local and national rural health meetings, and supporting multi-state recruitment systems like 3RNet. Primary contact for the program is Rachel Moscato, MPH, reachable at rmoscato@hrsa.gov or (301) 443-2724. Questions regarding the business or fiscal aspects of the application may be directed to Kimberly Dews at kdews@hrsa.gov or (301) 443-0655. Additional resources and updated information can be accessed through HRSA’s website and Grants.gov.

Align work plan and methodology clearly using numbered objectives; respond directly to each program requirement; ensure budget reflects all mandatory travel; leverage partnerships and matching funds