Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program

The Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration through the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. This federal initiative is designed to strengthen the capacity of rural health care providers to deliver high quality, coordinated, and cost effective care. The program is rooted in federal statutory authority under the Public Health Service Act and reflects a broader national commitment to improving health outcomes in underserved rural communities. It targets providers such as critical access hospitals, rural health clinics, and networks of rural providers that serve geographically isolated populations. The primary purpose of the program is to support both the planning and implementation of quality improvement activities within rural primary care settings. These activities are intended to increase access to high quality services while improving patient outcomes and operational sustainability. The program emphasizes care coordination, chronic disease management, and the integration of data driven approaches to care delivery. Applicants are expected to align their proposed projects with clearly defined clinical focus areas, such as behavioral health integration or chronic disease interventions, and demonstrate how these efforts will lead to measurable improvements over time. Funding under this opportunity supports a four year period of performance, structured as four separate 12 month budget periods. While funds can be used for a wide range of project related activities, there are clear restrictions. For example, funds cannot be used for construction, acquisition of real property, or unrelated equipment purchases. The program also does not require cost sharing, though voluntary contributions may be included but are not considered during merit review. Applicants must ensure that all costs are reasonable, allowable, and directly tied to project objectives, and must follow federal regulations governing grant expenditures. Eligibility is limited to domestic public or nonprofit entities that operate in rural areas. This includes state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, tribal entities, and certain institutions of higher education. Applicants must demonstrate that both their organization and service area meet HRSA rural designation requirements and must provide documentation confirming nonprofit or public status. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Additionally, applicants must not have previously received funding for the same or similar project unless they can demonstrate meaningful expansion or innovation in the proposed work. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes a comprehensive set of materials. Applicants must prepare a project narrative, budget and budget justification, and multiple required attachments such as proof of rural eligibility, staffing plans, and work plans. The project narrative must address need, approach, performance management, sustainability, and organizational capacity. Evaluation criteria are clearly defined and include need, response, performance management, impact, organizational capability, and budget justification. Each criterion is assigned a weighted score that contributes to overall ranking. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a notice of funding release on July 2, 2026, and an application deadline of August 6, 2026. Awards are expected to be issued by September 1, 2026, with a project start date of September 30, 2026. Applicants may also participate in informational webinars and are encouraged to consult with their State Office of Rural Health prior to submission. Following submission, applications undergo an initial eligibility screening followed by a merit review process conducted by a panel of experts. Award recipients are subject to ongoing reporting and compliance requirements throughout the project period. These include annual performance reports, progress updates, and a final sustainability plan. Recipients must collect and report data on access to care, patient outcomes, and operational metrics, using standardized tools provided by HRSA. Technical assistance is also provided to support implementation and ensure alignment with program goals. Overall, the program is structured to promote long term improvements in rural health systems by building capacity, enhancing data use, and fostering sustainable models of care delivery.

Align project clearly with one clinical focus area demonstrate strong data collection strategy and sustainability plan include measurable outcomes and detailed work plan ensure rural eligibility documentation is complete