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

The Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities (SOHW) program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through its Bureau of Health Workforce and Division of Medicine and Dentistry. This federal funding opportunity is designed to support state-level efforts to strengthen the oral health workforce, particularly in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas (Dental HPSAs). As outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity HRSA-26-084, the program reflects HRSA’s broader mission to improve access to health services for underserved populations by addressing workforce shortages and advancing innovative service delivery models. The primary purpose of this program is to help states develop and implement innovative programs that expand access to oral health services in underserved areas. The program emphasizes three key objectives: increasing access to care in Dental HPSAs, using evaluation to improve program effectiveness and demonstrate impact, and building sustainable models that continue beyond federal funding. States are encouraged to design new or significantly modified initiatives that address workforce gaps through approaches such as recruitment and retention strategies, training pipelines, and expanded service delivery systems. These efforts are intended to improve both the availability and quality of oral health care for populations facing geographic or economic barriers. Funding under this program supports a wide range of allowable activities. These include loan repayment programs for dentists serving in shortage areas, development of dental residency programs, expansion of community-based dental services, and implementation of teledentistry solutions. Additional activities may include preventive programs such as dental sealant initiatives, workforce training, and programs addressing early childhood caries or substance use screening. However, funding restrictions apply; grant funds cannot be used for construction, foreign travel, accreditation fees, or certain trainee expenses. The program requires recipients to ensure all costs are reasonable, necessary, and aligned with federal cost principles. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to state governments and state-designated entities, such as offices of state dental directors or state-run academic institutions. Only one application per state is permitted, and applicants must demonstrate coordination with the state dental director if they are not that office. Individuals are not eligible. A mandatory cost-sharing requirement applies, requiring states to contribute at least 40 percent of the federal award amount through non-federal funds, either in cash or in-kind contributions. Certain insular areas may receive partial waivers of this requirement. Applicants must also include required documentation such as eligibility letters, assurances, staffing plans, and detailed budget narratives. The application process is conducted through Grants.gov and requires completion of multiple forms and attachments, including a project narrative, budget justification, and standardized work plan. The project narrative must address program need, approach, evaluation strategy, sustainability, and organizational capacity. Applications are reviewed through a merit-based process that evaluates need, response, performance management, impact, organizational capabilities, and budget justification. The application deadline is July 17, 2026, with awards expected by August 31, 2026, and a project start date of September 1, 2026. Awards are expected to be distributed across approximately 37 recipients, with funding up to $400,000 per year for a five-year project period, subject to annual appropriations and satisfactory performance. Recipients are required to participate in federal evaluations, submit annual performance reports, and comply with federal regulations and reporting requirements. The program emphasizes long-term sustainability, requiring applicants to outline plans for maintaining successful program elements after federal funding ends. Contact information for programmatic and financial inquiries is provided within the NOFO, including HRSA project officers and grants management specialists, ensuring applicants have access to technical assistance throughout the application process.

Focus heavily on demonstrating innovation beyond existing programs; clearly align activities with Dental HPSA needs; include strong evaluation and sustainability plans; ensure matching funds are well documented; coordinate closely with state dental director