RHTP Workforce Development Initiative

The Workforce Development initiative under the Florida Rural Health Transformation Program is administered by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration as part of a broader federally funded effort supported by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This initiative is one of multiple strategic investments designed to strengthen rural health systems across Florida by addressing workforce shortages, improving care access, and building sustainable health infrastructure. The program operates under a federal cooperative agreement spanning multiple years, with a defined performance period extending through 2030. The Workforce Development initiative specifically aligns with the strategic domain of Workforce and Capacity and is structured as a standalone Request for Applications. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to strengthen, expand, and sustain the health care workforce serving rural communities across Florida. These communities face persistent shortages of clinicians, allied health professionals, and direct care workers due to geographic isolation, limited training access, and ongoing designation as Health Professional Shortage Areas. To address these challenges, the initiative establishes two independent pathways. Pathway 1, the Clinical Training Investment Opportunity, focuses on expanding clinical training pipelines through supervised rotations, preceptorships, and rural placement opportunities across multiple disciplines. Pathway 2 focuses on building early-stage workforce pipelines through high school and college programs, including Career and Technical Education and partnerships between educational institutions and rural health providers. Funding under this initiative supports a wide range of workforce development activities, including training site development, curriculum design, competency-based education, and workforce tracking systems. Allowable uses include preceptorship infrastructure, instructional materials, training equipment, and coordination of partnerships. Pathway 1 also allows for recruitment and retention incentives tied to a mandatory five-year rural service commitment, as well as limited short-term housing support for trainees. However, funds may not be used for salaries of trainees, major construction, long-term housing, or unconditional bonuses. Administrative costs are capped at three percent of the total award, and all activities must occur within eligible rural communities. Eligibility for this program is broad and inclusive, encompassing a wide range of health care providers, educational institutions, and community-based organizations. Eligible applicants include rural hospitals, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, county health departments, behavioral health providers, emergency medical services agencies, long-term care facilities, and home health agencies. Educational entities such as school districts, community colleges, universities, and technical schools are also eligible, particularly under Pathway 2. Nonprofit organizations and community-based organizations that support rural health or workforce development may apply as well. All applicants must meet baseline requirements, including at least five years of operational history, demonstrated financial stability, and the ability to deliver services within eligible rural areas. The application process requires submission of a comprehensive proposal including multiple structured sections such as an executive summary, organizational capacity documentation, project narrative, partnership agreements, implementation plan, data reporting strategy, sustainability plan, and detailed budget. Each section must follow strict page limits and utilize agency-provided templates. Applications undergo a two-stage evaluation process consisting of a pass/fail compliance review followed by a technical evaluation scored against defined criteria such as program design, partnerships, workforce impact, and sustainability planning. Partnerships with rural providers or educational institutions are mandatory depending on the selected pathway. The application timeline includes a release date of April 21, 2026, with applications due by June 10, 2026. Questions must be submitted in writing prior to the deadline, and only official written responses are considered binding. Awards are anticipated to be announced in July 2026, with project implementation beginning around August 1, 2026. The first year of funding runs through July 30, 2027, with continuation funding contingent on performance, reporting compliance, and availability of federal funds. The initiative is part of a multi-year program with annual budget periods and structured funding reductions over time to encourage sustainability. Overall, this grant represents a significant investment in rural health workforce development in Florida, emphasizing long-term retention, community-based training pipelines, and integration of education and clinical practice. The dual-pathway structure allows applicants flexibility in designing programs that address both immediate workforce shortages and long-term pipeline development. Successful applicants will demonstrate strong partnerships, clear implementation strategies, and the ability to sustain workforce development efforts beyond the grant period.

Ensure strong rural partnerships clearly document workforce impact align program design to pathway requirements and demonstrate long term sustainability beyond grant funding