Chronic Care Telehealth Centers of Excellence Program

The Chronic Care Telehealth Centers of Excellence Program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is designed to strengthen the national healthcare system by advancing the integration of telehealth technologies into chronic care delivery. As part of a broader federal strategy to expand access to care and improve outcomes for patients with long-term conditions, the program emphasizes innovation, research dissemination, and the development of scalable care models that can be replicated across the United States. The primary purpose of the program is to support academic medical centers in developing and implementing comprehensive telehealth-enabled chronic care systems. These systems are expected to address the full continuum of chronic disease management, including prevention, ongoing treatment, and management of acute episodes resulting from chronic conditions. Funded centers will act as national leaders, demonstrating how telehealth can enhance access, coordination, and quality of care for populations with long-term health needs. The initiative places a strong emphasis on both clinical innovation and the translation of findings into broader healthcare practice. Funding under this opportunity will support a wide range of activities, including the deployment of telehealth technologies, integration into existing care delivery models, and evaluation of outcomes. Recipients are expected to conduct rigorous research and disseminate their findings through publications and other channels. While specific restrictions are not detailed in the forecast, funds are intended to be used in alignment with federal guidelines governing cooperative agreements, and projects must remain focused on advancing chronic care delivery through telehealth. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement associated with this program, reducing financial barriers for eligible institutions. Eligibility is limited to public and private institutions of higher education, specifically academic medical centers. These organizations must demonstrate the capacity to integrate telehealth into complex care systems and to conduct research that contributes to national knowledge. The program is structured as a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement from the funding agency in program implementation and oversight. This structure supports collaboration between the federal government and award recipients to ensure alignment with national healthcare priorities. The application process is expected to follow standard federal submission procedures, with applications submitted electronically by the stated deadline. While detailed application components are not provided in the forecast, applicants should anticipate requirements such as project narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation typical of federal health grants. Evaluation criteria will likely focus on the innovation of the proposed telehealth model, the capacity of the institution, and the potential for national impact. Contact for the program is provided through a designated HRSA representative, ensuring applicants have access to support during the application process. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that it is currently in a forecast stage, with an estimated posting date in early 2027 and an application deadline in May 2027. Awards are expected to be made by August 2027, with project activities beginning in September 2027. The program appears to be part of an ongoing federal initiative, suggesting the potential for recurring funding cycles. However, specific recurrence details are not explicitly stated. Overall, this program represents a significant federal investment in leveraging telehealth to improve chronic care delivery nationwide.