Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities (SOHW)

The Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This federal initiative is designed to strengthen the oral health workforce infrastructure across the United States, particularly in areas identified as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. HRSA, as a federal agency, focuses on improving access to health services for underserved populations, and this program aligns with that mission by supporting state-level efforts to address workforce gaps in oral health care delivery. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support states in developing and implementing innovative programs that expand, enhance, and sustain the oral health workforce. The program emphasizes strategies that improve access to care in underserved communities by increasing the availability, distribution, and effectiveness of dental professionals. Activities may include workforce training, recruitment and retention strategies, and systems-level improvements that address shortages in dental health professionals. The program encourages coordination between state agencies and tribal entities to strengthen service delivery across jurisdictions. Funding under this opportunity is provided as grants to eligible state entities, including governor-designated organizations such as state dental director offices, state-run universities or dental schools, and other state or special district government entities. The program requires cost sharing or matching contributions, indicating that applicants must commit non-federal resources to support project activities. The estimated total program funding is 14800000 dollars, with an expected 37 awards and a maximum award amount of 400000 dollars. The minimum award amount is nominally listed but effectively treated as unspecified for practical purposes. Eligible applicants are limited to state governments and specific designated entities within each state. Only one application per state is permitted, reinforcing the program’s focus on statewide coordination and planning. All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, territories, and freely associated states are eligible to apply. Current recipients with a project period ending August 31, 2026, may reapply, indicating continuity and potential program recurrence. States are encouraged to collaborate with tribal governments, although tribal entities are not listed as direct applicants. Applications must be submitted electronically by the stated deadline through the designated federal grants system. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast notice, applicants can expect standard federal grant requirements such as project narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation demonstrating program capacity and alignment with objectives. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. There is no indication of a pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent. The timeline for this opportunity includes an estimated posting date of May 22, 2026, and an application deadline of June 22, 2026. Awards are expected to be issued by August 31, 2026, with project activities beginning on September 1, 2026. The program appears to follow an annual cycle, given the structured timeline and reapplication eligibility for current awardees. Applicants may contact the program officer via phone or email for additional information or clarification during the application process.