State Offices of Rural Health Program

The State Offices of Rural Health (SORH) Program is a federal initiative managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA's mission centers on improving health care for individuals who are geographically isolated or economically or medically vulnerable. The SORH program plays a critical role in this mission by establishing and maintaining State Offices of Rural Health across the United States, which act as focal points for rural health initiatives within each state. This institutional framework is designed to link rural communities with federal and state resources to enhance health service delivery in regions that often face unique healthcare access challenges. The primary purpose of the SORH Program is to strengthen rural health care delivery systems by ensuring that each participating state has an established office that serves as a bridge between small rural communities and both federal and state resources. These offices support the development of sustainable solutions that improve access to quality healthcare for approximately 60 million people living in rural America. Through funding, technical assistance, and coordination, the SORH offices work to support rural providers, identify local health priorities, and promote effective practices and models of care tailored to rural environments. Under this discretionary funding opportunity, HRSA expects to award up to 50 grants to eligible state entities, each responsible for operating their state’s Office of Rural Health. The funding opportunity is intended to support activities such as community needs assessments, policy development, data analysis, and coalition-building that help address disparities in rural health outcomes. The funding also allows states to support local innovations, facilitate partnerships, and provide education and outreach to ensure rural residents have access to health services that are equitable, high quality, and sustainable. The total anticipated funding available for this opportunity is $11.2 million, with a maximum award amount of $223,410 per state. Notably, a cost sharing or matching requirement is imposed, although the specific match formula is not detailed in the forecast. The eligibility is limited to states with designated State Offices of Rural Health, and only one applicant per state is allowed, based on the governor's designation. This exclusivity aims to ensure coordinated and centralized planning and resource distribution at the state level. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on April 10, 2026. While there is no pre-application phase such as a concept paper or letter of intent mentioned, applicants should follow HRSA’s formal submission process through the federal grants portal. Key dates include an estimated post date of February 24, 2026, and anticipated award and project start dates of June 1, 2026, and July 1, 2026, respectively. This suggests a relatively quick turnaround from application to implementation, which is typical for programs seeking to maintain annual continuity. The forecast does not include specific application components or evaluation criteria at this stage, as a full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is not yet posted. However, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate organizational capacity, strategic planning alignment, and the ability to conduct ongoing performance evaluations. Questions regarding the grant can be directed to Sarah Ndiang'ui at (301) 443-0876 or via email at [email protected]. The program is expected to recur annually, making it part of a long-standing federal commitment to rural health infrastructure.