GME Strategic Plan Grant Program

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services is offering a funding opportunity under the Utah Rural Health Transformation Program, specifically through the RISE initiative focused on Graduate Medical Education strategic planning. This program is supported by federal funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is part of a broader multi-year effort to strengthen rural healthcare systems across Utah. The Rural Health Transformation Program is designed to improve healthcare delivery, workforce capacity, and long-term sustainability in rural communities, with a particular emphasis on addressing physician shortages and expanding access to care. The purpose of this grant is to select a single qualified entity to develop a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan aimed at expanding Graduate Medical Education opportunities in rural Utah. The selected grantee will collaborate with a wide array of stakeholders, including medical schools, health systems, rural health facilities, tribal health organizations, and state agencies. The goal is to create a sustainable and scalable model for rural GME that supports a reliable physician workforce pipeline and aligns with broader state and federal healthcare priorities. Funding for this opportunity is provided as a grant agreement with a maximum award amount of up to 1600000 dollars. Only one award is anticipated. The agreement period is expected to begin on July 20, 2026 and conclude on September 30, 2027. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Funds must be used in accordance with federal guidelines outlined in the CMS Notice of Funding Opportunity and the Utah Notice of Award, and must not be used for unallowable expenses such as certain prohibited costs. Administrative costs are capped at 10 percent of the total requested amount. Eligible applicants include healthcare consultants and organizations with demonstrated expertise in rural Graduate Medical Education, strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and familiarity with Utah’s healthcare landscape and reimbursement systems. Applicants must meet minimum eligibility requirements, including legal entity status, registration with Utah State Purchasing, and compliance with federal and state funding eligibility standards. Organizations must not be debarred or suspended from receiving government funding. The application process requires submission through an online portal and includes detailed organizational information, eligibility confirmations, stakeholder engagement strategies, analytical methodologies, strategic planning approaches, personnel qualifications, and a comprehensive budget. Applicants must also submit supporting documentation such as legal status verification, resumes of key personnel, and an implementation timeline. Applications are evaluated through a two-stage process consisting of compliance review and technical scoring based on criteria such as strategic planning expertise, GME experience, stakeholder coordination, and financial understanding. The application period opens May 26, 2026 and closes on June 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. Questions regarding the application must be submitted by June 15, 2026, with final responses posted by June 16, 2026. Award notifications are expected by June 26, 2026. The project includes multiple phases such as stakeholder engagement, landscape assessment, strategic plan development, drafting, and final dissemination. Deliverables are tied to specific timelines throughout the agreement period, with ongoing technical assistance expected through completion. Evaluation of applications is conducted by a technical review committee using a structured scoring system totaling 120 points. Criteria include stakeholder engagement strategy, analytical approach, strategic planning methodology, organizational experience, and budget justification. Applicants must achieve a minimum threshold score to be considered for funding. The selected grantee will be responsible for delivering a finalized strategic plan and supporting its implementation through technical assistance and stakeholder coordination efforts.

Align proposal closely to scoring criteria with strong emphasis on rural GME expertise stakeholder coordination and detailed implementation planning; demonstrate knowledge of Utah healthcare landscape and financing mechanisms