Rural Community Health Support Program

The Rural Community Health Support Program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. The program is designed to strengthen healthcare systems in rural communities by providing a national platform for technical assistance. The funding opportunity supports organizations that can deliver coordinated, evidence-informed support to rural stakeholders, including community-based organizations, healthcare providers, and rural health networks. The program reflects broader federal priorities to improve access to care, address chronic disease, and enhance health outcomes in underserved rural populations. The primary purpose of the program is to develop, deliver, and coordinate technical assistance that improves healthcare access, delivery, and outcomes across rural areas nationwide. Funded recipients are expected to provide targeted and scalable assistance that supports organizations in planning, implementing, and sustaining healthcare initiatives. This includes strengthening organizational capacity, improving service delivery systems, and addressing emerging public health needs. Technical assistance activities may include one-on-one support, training sessions, learning collaboratives, site visits, and development of tools and best practice resources. Funding under this opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, with a single award expected. The total available funding is up to 4500000 dollars, supporting a three-year period of performance from September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2029. The cooperative agreement model involves substantial involvement from HRSA, including collaboration on program design, review of technical assistance materials, and participation in planning and evaluation activities. Funds must be used for allowable, non-duplicative activities that align with federal regulations and program goals, and recipients must maintain strong financial controls and reporting practices. Eligibility for the program is broad and includes a wide range of domestic entities such as state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and for-profit entities. Individuals are not eligible. Applicants must demonstrate significant experience delivering technical assistance to rural communities and must show the ability to operate at a national level. Additional requirements include maintaining partnerships with relevant stakeholders, demonstrating expertise in evidence-informed approaches, and ensuring services are provided exclusively to HRSA-eligible rural areas. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes multiple components such as a project narrative, budget narrative, work plan, staffing plan, and various attestations and supporting documents. Applicants must also complete standard federal forms including the SF-424 and lobbying disclosures. The project narrative is expected to address need, approach, evaluation, sustainability, and organizational capacity. Applications are subject to a merit review process based on criteria such as need, response, impact, and organizational capabilities. Applications are due by July 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Awards are expected to begin on September 1, 2026. The program does not require cost sharing, though voluntary contributions may be included but are not considered in the review process. Recipients must comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including annual performance reports, and must align activities with HRSA priorities and federal regulations throughout the award period. The program is not explicitly described as recurring, but it represents a structured federal funding initiative aligned with ongoing rural health priorities. Applicants are encouraged to attend informational webinars and ensure all registrations, including SAM.gov and Grants.gov, are active prior to submission. Program contacts are available for both programmatic and financial inquiries, providing additional support throughout the application process.

Emphasize demonstrated national experience delivering technical assistance to rural communities; clearly align proposed activities with HRSA priorities and rural health needs; provide strong evidence-informed approaches and measurable outcomes; highlight partnerships and ability to support organizations with no prior federal funding