Primary Care through Family Nurse Practitioners Programs in Massachusetts

The Atrius Health Equity Foundation has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) aimed at enhancing primary care access through the development of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Residency Programs at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Eastern Massachusetts. This funding initiative is grounded in the Foundation’s mission to improve health equity and community wellbeing, particularly in regions facing low life expectancy. Recognizing the essential role of primary care providers in preventive and chronic care management, the Foundation seeks to address growing challenges in primary care access across the Commonwealth by investing in targeted workforce development efforts. This RFP is designed to support the establishment of new FNP Residency Programs, which are intended to provide structured post-graduate training for nurse practitioners through supervised clinical practice, mentorship, and didactic instruction. Research has shown that such programs enhance provider competence, confidence, and long-term retention in primary care roles, especially in medically underserved areas. Through this initiative, Atrius aims to build capacity within FQHCs and ultimately strengthen the regional primary care infrastructure. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, located and operating within Eastern Massachusetts, which includes Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket Counties. Applicants must also be independent FQHCs (not hospital-owned) and serve communities with documented low life expectancy. Importantly, applicants must not currently operate an accredited FNP Residency Program. Prospective applicants uncertain about their eligibility are encouraged to contact the Foundation for clarification. The Foundation plans to award up to six grants under this funding opportunity. Each selected applicant may receive up to $350,000 over a 2.9-year grant term. Funding must be used exclusively for launching and operating new FNP Residency Programs at qualifying FQHCs. Specific budgeting instructions and templates are available as part of the RFP package. Questions related to budget preparation can be submitted to the Foundation, and answers will be made publicly available in an FAQ format. Interested applicants must submit their proposals through the Atrius Health Equity Foundation’s grants portal by 12 PM ET on July 31, 2025. To support applicants during the process, the Foundation will host an informational webinar on June 26 from 3–4 PM ET and virtual office hours on July 10 from 3–4 PM ET. The final date to submit application-related questions is July 18, 2025. Award decisions are anticipated in late September 2025. All application materials, including the RFP, budget guidelines, and frequently asked questions, are accessible via the Foundation’s website. For further information or inquiries, applicants may contact the grants team at grants@atriusfoundation.org. This initiative reflects the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to addressing disparities in health outcomes by equipping FQHCs with the resources to train and retain high-quality primary care providers.

Review FAQs and application portal instructions before submission. Questions should be submitted by July 18; responses will be shared publicly.