Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program Cooperative Agreement to Papa Ola Lokahi

The Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program (NHHSP) Administrative Support grant, funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through its Bureau of Health Workforce, is intended to support Papa Ola Lokahi (POL) in managing scholarships for Native Hawaiian students enrolled in health professions programs. The grant opportunity is designated HRSA-25-073 and authorized under 42 U.S.C. § 11709. Its overarching goal is to increase the number of qualified Native Hawaiian health clinicians serving communities across Hawaii. The program has been operational since 1991 and has awarded over 350 scholarships. The program provides comprehensive administrative support for the scholarship initiative, which funds Native Hawaiian students pursuing accredited degrees in various health professions, including associate, bachelor's, master's, professional, and doctoral programs. These students commit to serving Native Hawaiian populations in Hawaii upon graduation. The cooperative agreement allows POL to manage administrative tasks such as confirming enrollment, monitoring compliance, verifying academic standing, and tracking post-graduation service obligations. This grant provides up to $500,000 annually over a five-year period from August 1, 2025, through July 31, 2030. The total available funding for FY 2025 is $500,000 and is subject to annual appropriations. The grant specifically covers administrative functions and does not fund tuition, stipends, or other direct participant costs, which are separately provided through the scholarship award. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is limited to Papa Ola Lokahi, as designated under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Act. Applicants must be registered in both SAM.gov and Grants.gov, with valid and current registrations. Only one application is permitted, and there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement. A range of detailed application components are required, including narratives, budget justifications, staffing plans, organizational charts, and standardized federal forms. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on July 15, 2025. The anticipated award date is July 1, 2025, with a start date of August 1, 2025. A planning meeting is offered to help applicants understand the opportunity and ask questions. Proposals will be evaluated based on their completeness, financial prudence, and alignment with the program’s goals and priorities. Applications must follow federal cybersecurity and reporting requirements and agree to participate in evaluations to assess program effectiveness. For technical or programmatic assistance, applicants may contact Dr. Brandon C. Wood at bwood@hrsa.gov for questions related to program and eligibility, and Kim Ross at kross@hrsa.gov for financial and budgetary matters. Further help is available via the HRSA Contact Center and Grants.gov support.