Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program

The Technology-enabled Collaborative Learning Program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. This federal initiative is designed to strengthen the health care workforce and improve access to care in rural, frontier, and medically underserved communities. HRSA has a longstanding mission to enhance health outcomes for vulnerable populations, and this program builds on that mission by supporting innovative telehealth-based learning models that connect providers and expand care delivery capacity. The purpose of this program is to fund projects that develop, evaluate, and expand technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity-building models. These models, such as Project ECHO and similar telementoring approaches, are intended to improve retention of health care providers and increase access to quality services in underserved areas. Funded projects must focus on training health care providers and professionals, enhancing care delivery through telehealth, and evaluating the impact of these interventions on patient outcomes and provider performance. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, with approximately 9 awards anticipated and a total program funding level of $4,275,000. Individual awards may be up to $475,000 annually, and projects are expected to operate over a three-year period of performance from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029, structured in three 12-month budget periods. Allowable uses of funds include the development of instructional programming, training of health care providers, data collection and evaluation, and acquisition of equipment necessary to support telehealth-based learning systems. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this program. Eligible applicants include a broad range of domestic entities such as state, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, institutions of higher education, for-profit organizations, and small businesses. However, applicants must demonstrate that they provide or support health care services in rural or underserved areas or populations, including Native American communities. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applicants must also demonstrate the capacity to lead or participate in a technology-enabled collaborative learning model. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by July 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applicants are required to maintain active registrations with both SAM.gov and Grants.gov prior to submission. The application package includes a project narrative, budget narrative, work plan, staffing plan, and other supporting attachments. The project narrative must address key areas such as need, approach, evaluation, and sustainability. Applications are reviewed through a merit-based process using criteria including need, response, evaluation plan, impact, organizational capacity, and budget justification. The evaluation process includes an initial eligibility screening followed by a merit review conducted by a panel. Applications are scored based on a 100-point scale across six criteria areas. HRSA also considers risk assessment, geographic distribution, and alignment with agency priorities when making funding decisions. Award notifications are expected around the start of the project period in September 2026. Successful applicants must comply with federal reporting, evaluation, and performance measurement requirements throughout the grant period. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact Melody Williams at mwilliams1@hrsa.gov or call 301-287-2616. Technical support for application submission is available through Grants.gov and SAM.gov help desks. Applicants are encouraged to review all program requirements carefully and ensure alignment with federal regulations and HRSA priorities prior to submission.

Align proposal with HRSA evaluation criteria including measurable outcomes, strong partnerships, and clear training models; demonstrate impact on underserved populations; include robust evaluation and data collection plan