Technology Adoption Challenge

The Technology Adoption Challenge is part of Wyoming’s Rural Health Transformation Program, a statewide initiative established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and administered by the Wyoming Department of Health with funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This broader program is designed to strengthen rural healthcare systems through innovative and sustainable solutions, and it is supported by a substantial federal investment exceeding 205 million dollars for its initial budget period. The Technology Adoption Challenge represents one of several targeted sub initiatives aligned with strategic priorities such as emergency care access, workforce development, and health system modernization. The purpose of this specific funding opportunity is to support practical and scalable technology investments that improve the ability of rural healthcare providers to deliver care more effectively within their communities. The program emphasizes outcomes such as enabling patients to receive care closer to home, improving chronic disease management, expanding access to clinical consultations, strengthening patient provider relationships, and enhancing operational efficiency through collaboration. The focus is not on experimental technology but on sensible, implementable solutions that can demonstrate meaningful improvements in care delivery across rural settings. Funding under this opportunity is directed toward collaborative groups rather than individual entities. Eligible applicants must form partnerships consisting of at least two independent healthcare providers or community organizations that deliver health services. Each participating organization must maintain its own Employer Identification Number and National Provider Identifier, and all must be physically located within Wyoming. This requirement reflects the program’s emphasis on coordinated, regional solutions that can achieve greater system level impact than isolated investments. A key financial requirement of this opportunity is the inclusion of matching funds. Applicants must contribute a minimum match of five percent toward the total technology procurement cost, with higher matching contributions viewed more favorably during evaluation. While detailed allowable and unallowable cost categories are governed by the broader program guidelines, the Department of Health retains authority to limit costs based on federal guidance. All awarded funds must be obligated by late October 2026 and fully expended by the end of September 2027 unless otherwise approved, ensuring timely implementation and measurable progress. The application process is managed through an online submission platform, where applicants must complete a required eligibility form prior to submitting initiative specific proposals. The system allows collaboration among multiple contributors, though only the designated owner may finalize submission. Applications for this opportunity close in early August 2026, and applicants are encouraged to complete all required fields carefully, noting that some questions are conditionally displayed based on prior responses. Technical assistance is available through platform support resources. Evaluation criteria are not fully detailed in the provided materials but clearly emphasize the scale of collaboration and financial commitment, as larger provider groups and higher matching contributions are explicitly noted as factors that improve scoring. This suggests that reviewers prioritize proposals demonstrating broad regional impact, shared investment, and alignment with the program’s transformation goals. The initiative is structured to support one year agreements with the possibility of renewal, allowing for iterative improvement of work plans and budgets over time. Overall, the Technology Adoption Challenge is designed as a strategic investment mechanism to accelerate the adoption of healthcare technologies across rural Wyoming. By requiring collaboration, matching funds, and alignment with defined healthcare outcomes, the program aims to create durable improvements in access, quality, and efficiency. The structured timeline, federal funding backing, and integration within a larger statewide transformation framework position this opportunity as a significant component of Wyoming’s long term rural health strategy.

Prioritize forming larger provider groups and exceeding minimum match to improve scoring