Bachelor of Social Work to Clinical Master of Social Work Stipend Program

The Bachelor of Social Work to Clinical Master of Social Work Stipend Program is administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services through its Policy and Planning bureau as part of the broader Rural Health Transformation Program. This initiative is funded through federal support from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is designed to strengthen rural health systems across Michigan. The program aligns with statewide priorities to improve access to care, develop a skilled workforce, and implement innovative care delivery models that address disparities in rural communities. The primary purpose of this grant is to address the shortage of mental health providers in rural Michigan by supporting the educational advancement of individuals who hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Through partnerships with universities that offer advanced standing clinical Master of Social Work programs, the grant provides funding to establish or expand stipend programs that enable students to complete one year clinical MSW degrees. In exchange, stipend recipients are required to commit to working in rural Michigan communities for five years following graduation, ensuring long term workforce sustainability. Funding under this program totals five million dollars, with individual awards ranging from two hundred thousand dollars to one million dollars. Approximately seven awards are expected. Funds must be used to support stipend program design, student recruitment and retention, educational support services, and job placement initiatives. Allowable activities include mentorship, professional development, licensing support, and partnerships with rural employers. Unallowable costs include construction, lobbying, entertainment, and expenses already covered by other funding sources. There is no matching requirement for this program. Eligibility is limited primarily to universities in Michigan that operate advanced clinical MSW programs. However, broader eligibility guidance indicates that nonprofit organizations, public and private entities, local health departments, and tribal organizations may be considered under related funding opportunities. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to administer a stipend program, recruit and support students, and track compliance with the five year service requirement. Applications from current State of Michigan employees are disqualified. Applications must be submitted electronically through the EGrAMS system. Applicants are required to register their organization, submit a project director request by July 30, 2026, and complete all application components including a detailed budget and narrative responses. A pre application conference is scheduled for July 15, 2026 to provide technical guidance. Questions must be submitted by July 17, 2026, with responses posted shortly after. Applications must be finalized and submitted by August 4, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. The evaluation process is competitive and based on a 100 point scoring system, with a minimum of 80 points required for consideration. Criteria include program implementation, organizational experience, staff qualifications, workplan quality, and budget justification. Reviewers assess the applicant’s ability to recruit and support students, ensure program completion, facilitate employment in rural areas, and monitor outcomes including the five year service commitment. The grant period runs from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. During this time, grantees must implement program activities, track performance metrics, and submit required reports. Long term program outcomes include increased enrollment in MSW programs, higher graduation rates, and expanded employment of social workers in rural communities. The program is part of a recurring statewide workforce development strategy, though specific future cycles are not explicitly confirmed.

Ensure clear program design strong recruitment and retention strategies and detailed evaluation metrics to meet minimum scoring threshold of 80 points