Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program

The Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA is a federal agency focused on improving access to healthcare services for people who are geographically isolated, economically disadvantaged, or medically vulnerable. Through this program, HRSA seeks to strengthen the infrastructure and operational capacity of small rural healthcare providers, particularly those that play a critical role in delivering essential care to underserved populations. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support small rural healthcare facilities in building a sustainable culture of quality improvement. The program emphasizes the development of systems that enable providers to effectively collect, analyze, and use clinical data to improve patient outcomes. A particular focus is placed on improving chronic disease management, recognizing that rural populations often experience higher rates of chronic conditions and face barriers to consistent, high-quality care. By implementing evidence-based strategies, awardees are expected to demonstrate measurable improvements in healthcare delivery and patient health outcomes. Funding under this program is intended to support activities that enhance both clinical and administrative performance. Allowable uses include developing or improving data collection systems, training staff in quality improvement methodologies, and strengthening coordination between clinical personnel and billing and coding staff. By improving collaboration between these functional areas, the program aims to enhance operational efficiency and ensure that healthcare providers are better positioned to participate in value-based care models. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this funding opportunity, which lowers barriers to participation for smaller organizations with limited financial resources. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public and nonprofit healthcare entities, provided they are located in rural areas and meet specific program criteria. These include rural health clinics, critical access hospitals, and other small rural healthcare providers or networks identified as key sources of care. Applicants must be domestic organizations and must not have previously received funding under this specific program for the same or a similar project. This ensures that resources are distributed to organizations that have not yet benefited from this particular capacity-building initiative. The application process is expected to be conducted electronically, with submissions required through official federal grant systems by the stated deadline. While specific application components are not detailed in the forecast notice, applicants can expect to provide documentation demonstrating organizational eligibility, a detailed project plan, and evidence of capacity to implement quality improvement initiatives. Applications must be submitted by the stated deadline of July 30, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The timeline for this opportunity indicates that it is currently in a forecast stage, with an anticipated posting date of June 30, 2026. Awards are expected to be announced by September 1, 2026, with project activities beginning on or around September 30, 2026. The program does not explicitly state whether it recurs annually, but similar HRSA programs are often reissued periodically. Interested applicants are encouraged to monitor updates and prepare materials in advance of the official release. For additional information, applicants may contact the program representative via email or phone as provided in the notice.