Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)-Planning

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) – Planning is a federally funded initiative by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration. The program addresses the critical need for planning and coordination in rural communities struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), particularly opioid use disorder (OUD). By targeting the foundational barriers to service development, RCORP-Planning provides essential resources for building sustainable systems of prevention, treatment, and recovery in areas that typically lack access to complex federal funding streams or advanced healthcare infrastructure. This initiative specifically targets rural areas where healthcare resources are often limited, and the consequences of substance misuse are intensified by geographic and socioeconomic challenges. Although the primary focus of the program is opioid misuse, the RCORP-Planning program also encompasses the broader spectrum of substance use, including alcohol misuse, and supports the establishment of a continuum of care that integrates mental and behavioral health services. The intent is to enable communities to respond holistically to the overlapping crises of addiction, mental health disorders, and related social determinants of health. Under the planning grant, selected organizations will not deliver direct services but will engage in activities that lay the groundwork for comprehensive SUD treatment networks. These activities include stakeholder engagement, needs assessments, workforce development planning, and coordination of evidence-based interventions tailored to the unique needs of each rural community. By fostering strong partnerships and community buy-in, the grant positions recipients to effectively compete for larger implementation funding and to operate sustainable service models over the long term. Funding for the FY 2026 cycle is anticipated to total $4 million, distributed across approximately 40 awards, each expected to be $100,000. The program does not require cost sharing or matching, which removes a common financial barrier for under-resourced applicants. Applications must be submitted electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 27, 2026, with the estimated award notification by August 1, 2026, and projects beginning on September 1, 2026. Eligible applicants include a broad range of domestic public and private entities—both non-profit and for-profit—including state and local governments, tribal entities (federally recognized and other), educational institutions, school districts, and housing authorities. The program is national in scope, with eligibility extended to all U.S. states and territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and others. The program is currently in the forecasting stage, with an estimated post date of February 25, 2026. For more information or specific questions, applicants are directed to contact Lynlee Tanner Stapleton at 301-443-5764 or via email at ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov. The official RCORP program page, which includes more details on this and related opportunities, can be found at https://www.hrsa.gov/rural-health/opioid-response.