Community-Based Walking Program

The Community-Based Walking Program funding opportunity is administered by North Dakota Health and Human Services under the broader Rural Health Transformation Program, a federally supported initiative established through Public Law 119-21. This larger program is backed by significant federal investment and is designed to improve health outcomes and modernize care delivery in rural and Tribal communities. Within this framework, North Dakota has structured multiple targeted programs, including “Make North Dakota Healthy Again,” which focuses on preventive health and wellness. The Community-Based Walking Program is one of several competitive funding opportunities launched to support locally driven solutions that enhance population health. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the development and delivery of structured, multi-week walking programs in rural and Tribal communities across North Dakota. Walking is identified as a low-cost, accessible intervention that can significantly improve cardiovascular health, mental well-being, and social connectedness. The program aims to fund approximately 20 community-based initiatives that incorporate evidence-based components such as leadership engagement, participant recruitment, structured program delivery, and outcome evaluation. Applicants must demonstrate how they will implement ten required program components, including health screenings, weekly group walks, coaching, and recognition activities. Funding is intended strictly for the design and execution of the walking programs and related activities that improve participant health outcomes. Approximately 2.5 million dollars is available in the first year, with individual awards estimated at around 125,000 dollars each. Programs may be eligible for renewal annually for up to five years, contingent on performance and continued federal funding. All awarded funds must be expended by September 30, 2027. Restrictions apply to ensure funds are not used for unallowable costs such as major capital expenditures, vehicle purchases, or supplanting existing funding sources. Eligibility is limited to organizations and entities operating within North Dakota’s rural and Tribal communities. Eligible applicants include a wide range of community-based organizations such as tribal entities, hospitals, municipalities, nonprofit organizations, public health units, and civic groups. Collaborative applications involving multiple community partners are also encouraged. Applicants must ensure that proposed activities do not duplicate existing funded efforts but instead expand or enhance them. Applications must be submitted through the Qualtrics platform by May 22, 2026. The application requires several structured components, including background information, a detailed project narrative, an action plan with milestones, and a comprehensive budget. The project narrative must address community needs, target populations, program strategies, and measurable outcomes aligned with statewide health improvement goals. Evaluation criteria focus on the completeness and quality of the submitted materials, as well as alignment with program objectives and feasibility of implementation. A technical assistance call is scheduled for May 6, 2026, to support applicants in understanding the requirements and expectations of the funding opportunity. Additional resources, including frequently asked questions, will be made available following the call. Applicants are encouraged to submit questions in advance to ensure clarity. For further inquiries, applicants may contact the program via the provided email address. The funding cycle operates within a defined timeline, with anticipated project start dates around August 1, 2026, following award notification and agreement execution.

Ensure all 10 required walking program components are addressed; align outcomes with RHTP metrics; demonstrate community engagement and sustainability