Health Center Program

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is forecasting a grant opportunity titled "Health Center Program" (Opportunity Number: HRSA-25-096) to provide financial assistance to health centers impacted by Hurricane Milton. This discretionary grant is part of the federal government's response to assist health centers located in areas affected by a FEMA-declared disaster. The goal of the funding is to support unforeseen operational challenges and costs that arise from maintaining continuous access to comprehensive primary care services in disaster-affected areas. Health centers eligible for this grant are those located in regions officially declared as disaster areas under Hurricane Milton by FEMA. These centers will be able to request up to 25% of their anticipated fiscal year (FY) 2025 Health Center Program award (H80). This advance on future funding is designed to help cover immediate costs, but it comes with the provision that the final FY 2025 continuation award will be reduced by the amount of the advance. This mechanism ensures that centers can maintain operations and provide necessary services to their communities during recovery without financial strain in the short term. The grant does not have a specified cost-sharing or matching requirement, meaning applicants do not need to secure additional funds from other sources to qualify. However, specific eligibility details indicate that only health centers within Hurricane Milton-affected areas can apply, as referenced by the FEMA disaster declaration. As this is a forecasted opportunity, detailed timelines, including the application posting, submission, and award dates, have not been finalized. The estimated deadlines are expected to be clarified once the opportunity is officially posted. Health centers interested in this grant should monitor updates to ensure they meet the deadlines and requirements when the application becomes available. The total program funding, award ceiling, and award floor have not yet been provided, but the opportunity indicates a focus on continuing primary care services, suggesting the funds will be used for operational costs directly related to healthcare delivery. To apply, applicants will use HRSA's Electronic Handbooks (EHB) system, and additional information can be obtained from the HRSA support team. This grant offers a critical opportunity for health centers in hurricane-impacted areas to secure early funding, ensuring they can continue providing essential services while managing disaster recovery efforts.