Utah Rural Clinical Preceptor Stipend Program

The Utah Rural Clinical Preceptor Stipend Program is a funding initiative administered by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services as part of the broader Rural Health Transformation Program. This program is supported through federal funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under a multi-year effort to strengthen healthcare systems in rural communities. The Rural Health Transformation Program represents a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure, workforce development, and service delivery modernization, with Utah receiving substantial federal funding to implement targeted initiatives beginning in 2026. Within this framework, the Rural Incentive and Skill Expansion initiative focuses specifically on workforce capacity, and the Rural Clinical Preceptor Stipend Program is designed to expand the availability of clinical training opportunities in rural areas. The primary purpose of the program is to incentivize licensed healthcare providers to serve as clinical preceptors for students in medical and advanced practice disciplines. By offering stipends to eligible preceptors, the program aims to address workforce shortages and build a sustainable pipeline of healthcare professionals in rural Utah. Eligible activities include providing supervised clinical instruction, training, and evaluation to students enrolled in MD, DO, APRN, and physician assistant programs. The program emphasizes uncompensated or newly engaged preceptors, prioritizing those who are not currently receiving payment for teaching activities and those who are participating as preceptors for the first time. Funding is structured as stipend payments based on the number of precepting hours completed during the defined period of performance. For the first year, the performance period runs from July 1, 2026 through December 1, 2026. Preceptors must complete a minimum of 160 hours of eligible precepting activities within this timeframe to qualify for any stipend. Payment amounts increase incrementally based on total hours completed, with maximum allowable payments per invoice capped at $5,000 and annual limits of up to $10,000 per provider depending on profession and participation in additional periods. Physicians may receive higher stipend amounts than APRNs and physician assistants, reflecting tiered compensation levels. Total program funding for the first year is $200,000, with additional multi-year funding anticipated but contingent on federal appropriations. Eligibility is limited to individual healthcare providers who are licensed in Utah and actively practicing in designated rural counties. Eligible applicants include medical doctors, osteopathic physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants who provide direct supervision and instruction to qualifying students. All precepting activities must occur within rural counties as defined by state statute, excluding major metropolitan counties such as Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, and Weber. Applicants must also meet administrative requirements, including becoming registered vendors with the state and agreeing to program conditions related to compensation and reporting. Importantly, preceptors cannot claim stipend funding for students for whom they already receive monetary compensation from another source. The application process requires submission through an online Qualtrics portal by the stated deadline. Applicants must complete required forms, including vendor registration documentation, and attest to compliance with program requirements. Once accepted, participants must track and document eligible precepting hours and submit a single invoice during a specified submission window in December 2026. Supporting documentation must include signed attestations from both students and their educational institutions verifying hours completed. Additionally, participants must submit a progress report detailing student engagement metrics and complete a post-program exit questionnaire to support evaluation and future program improvements. Applications for the initial funding cycle open on May 19, 2026 and close on June 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time. The program may accept applications up to twice annually, indicating a recurring structure subject to future announcements. Award decisions are influenced by prioritization criteria, including whether applicants are first-time preceptors, whether they currently receive compensation for precepting, and whether they serve in primary care or mental health specialties. Due to funding limitations and high demand, acceptance into the program does not guarantee payment, as stipends are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis based on invoice submission timing and available funds. Overall, the Rural Clinical Preceptor Stipend Program is a targeted workforce development strategy designed to expand clinical training capacity in underserved rural areas. By financially supporting preceptors and formalizing training pathways, the program contributes to long-term improvements in healthcare access and provider retention in rural Utah. The initiative aligns with broader federal and state goals to strengthen healthcare delivery systems and ensure a sustainable pipeline of qualified professionals in regions with historically limited access to care.

Prioritize demonstrating first-time preceptor status or lack of compensation; emphasize primary care or mental health specialties if applicable; ensure accurate tracking and documentation of hours; submit invoice early due to first-come first-served payment system