The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program is a federal grant initiative managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA plays a vital role in improving access to healthcare services for underserved populations, especially those in geographically isolated or economically disadvantaged communities. The LEAP Training Program is one of HRSA's targeted efforts to strengthen the maternal and child health (MCH) workforce pipeline through educational and leadership development.
This program is designed to support undergraduate training programs that develop and diversify the future MCH workforce. Its primary objective is to establish and expand MCH-focused pathway programs at public and private institutions of higher education, as well as tribal colleges and universities. These programs aim to increase students' exposure to MCH-related careers and prepare them for leadership roles in the public health and healthcare systems. A special emphasis is placed on recruiting and training individuals from communities that have been historically underrepresented in the MCH workforce, including rural and underserved populations.
The LEAP Training Program provides financial assistance in the form of competitive discretionary grants. The anticipated total program funding is $930,000, with an expected six awards. Each award may be up to $155,000, although the actual floor for funding has not been specified. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which enhances accessibility for eligible institutions with limited financial resources. Funding is intended to support program development, faculty engagement, curriculum enhancement, student support services, and community partnerships that align with the goals of the MCH Bureau.
Eligible applicants include domestic public and nonprofit private institutions of higher education, as well as Native American tribal organizations that function as public or private nonprofit institutions of higher learning. The term "domestic" in this context encompasses U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories such as Guam and the Virgin Islands, and freely associated states including the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau. This wide eligibility scope ensures that institutions serving diverse populations are empowered to contribute to MCH workforce development.
Applications for the LEAP Training Program are forecasted to open on February 3, 2026, with submissions due by April 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Awards are anticipated to be announced by May 1, 2026, with funded projects beginning June 1, 2026. All applications must be submitted electronically, and no pre-application or concept paper is required for participation in this funding cycle. The program is recurring, and based on the prior cycle, it is expected to continue annually.
For more information, prospective applicants can contact the Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Division of MCH Workforce Development at (301) 433-2170. No PDF links were provided in the source, and applicants should monitor Grants.gov or HRSA's website for the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) once it is released. The opportunity is currently in a forecasted state and should be checked again as the estimated post date approaches to ensure timely preparation and submission.
