Emerging Technology Program

The Emerging Technology Program is administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment as part of the State’s Rural Health Transformation Plan, which is funded through a cooperative agreement with the federal Rural Health Transformation Program. The initiative is designed to strengthen rural healthcare delivery systems across Kansas by supporting providers in adopting and scaling advanced, patient-facing technologies. The program prioritizes solutions that have already demonstrated effectiveness in real-world environments rather than early-stage or experimental tools, ensuring that funded projects can produce measurable improvements in care delivery and operational efficiency. The primary purpose of the program is to enable eligible rural healthcare providers to implement or expand the use of emerging technologies that improve clinical outcomes, enhance operational processes, and increase long-term sustainability. These technologies may include artificial intelligence applications for clinical documentation, predictive analytics, and operational automation, among others. The program emphasizes the importance of scaling proven solutions, building internal provider capacity, and ensuring that adopted technologies can be maintained beyond the grant period through training, workflow integration, and vendor management strategies. Funding must be used exclusively for activities related to the development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of approved technologies. There are strict limitations on allowable costs, including caps on administrative and indirect costs at 10 percent each, and prohibitions on expenditures such as construction, broadband infrastructure, electronic medical record replacements, lobbying, and ongoing operational costs without a sustainability plan. Additionally, all funded technologies must meet applicable compliance and security standards, including HIPAA requirements and any relevant regulatory approvals. These restrictions ensure that funds are directed toward impactful, compliant, and sustainable technology adoption. Eligibility is limited to Kansas-based healthcare providers located in rural areas, including hospitals, physician practices, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, tribal healthcare facilities, behavioral health clinics, substance use disorder facilities, and long-term care providers. While non-rural providers may apply, they must demonstrate that their proposed project directly benefits rural communities. Applicants must also possess a Unique Entity Identifier, Federal Employer Identification Number, and SMART Vendor ID. Technology companies are not eligible to apply directly but may participate as vendors supporting eligible applicants. Applications must be submitted through an online portal and include required documentation such as a completed W-9 form, narrative sections covering project design and implementation, and a detailed budget using a prescribed template. The application process includes strict formatting and page limits across multiple sections, including project description, technology overview, implementation plan, sustainability plan, budget narrative, and evaluation plan. Submissions are reviewed first for completeness and responsiveness, followed by a merit-based evaluation using a scoring rubric that assesses alignment with program objectives, feasibility, impact, and sustainability. The application period for the program opens on June 10, 2026 and closes on July 10, 2026 at 12 PM Central Time. Awards are expected to be announced in early to mid-August 2026, with a performance period running from August 15, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Awardees are required to submit quarterly progress reports and an annual evaluation report detailing expenditures, implementation progress, and measurable outcomes. These reporting requirements support state and federal oversight and contribute to ongoing program evaluation and improvement. Overall, the Emerging Technology Program represents a strategic investment in rural healthcare innovation in Kansas. By focusing on scalable, proven technologies and requiring measurable outcomes and sustainability planning, the program aims to transform care delivery systems, improve patient outcomes, and strengthen the long-term viability of rural healthcare providers across the state.

Ensure technology is proven and not a pilot; clearly demonstrate measurable outcomes and impact; align closely with program objectives; include strong sustainability plan; provide credible evidence of prior success