Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program

The Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program is a federal initiative led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through its sub-agency, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA is dedicated to improving health care for people who are geographically isolated, economically or medically vulnerable. This program exemplifies HRSA’s ongoing commitment to supporting Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), a vital component of the rural health infrastructure, by offering structured technical assistance (TA) designed to improve the quality and delivery of healthcare in rural settings. The primary purpose of the Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program is to identify and address the regulatory, clinical, and operational challenges faced by RHCs across the United States. The program funds a single cooperative agreement to an eligible entity that will serve as a technical resource and advisory body. The selected entity will be responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating key information and strategies to aid RHCs. This includes identifying emerging issues, informing stakeholders about pertinent policy or programmatic developments, and distributing practical tools and resources tailored to RHC needs. The scope of the funding is narrow but impactful, with a total program funding amount of $110,000 expected to be awarded as a single cooperative agreement. No cost-sharing or matching is required, making this opportunity accessible to a broad range of applicants. Funds are intended to support technical assistance efforts rather than direct clinical services, with spending focused on activities such as research, guidance creation, stakeholder engagement, and dissemination of best practices. Eligibility is broad and inclusive, encompassing a variety of public and private U.S.-based entities, including state and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofit and for-profit entities, and educational institutions. However, the program restricts eligibility to domestic organizations, defined to include all U.S. states and territories such as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and others. This ensures that assistance remains focused on improving care within the U.S. rural health system. Submission mechanics follow the standard federal grant application process via Grants.gov. The estimated posting date for the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is March 3, 2026, and applications will be due by April 17, 2026, no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The award is expected to be announced by June 1, 2026, with the project performance period beginning on July 1, 2026. There are no pre-application requirements or stated evaluation criteria at this forecast stage, but applicants are advised to closely monitor HRSA's website for updates once the NOFO is officially posted. The program contact for inquiries is Lindsey Nienstedt, who can be reached by phone at (301) 443-2843 or via email at [email protected]. Because this is a forecasted opportunity, all dates are subject to change, and prospective applicants should remain attentive for further updates and the release of the official application package. Recurrence of the program is likely, though not explicitly stated; the annual forecasting and funding cycle suggest a regular issuance.