Delta Rural Integrated Health Network Program

The Delta Rural Integrated Health Network Program is a forecasted grant opportunity issued by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a sub-agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HRSA’s mission is to enhance healthcare access for vulnerable populations, particularly in underserved and rural communities. This program aligns with HRSA’s goal by focusing specifically on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and coordination across the Delta Region—a geographically and economically disadvantaged area in the southeastern United States. This grant initiative seeks to develop integrated health networks among various rural healthcare providers, including hospitals, primary care clinics, and behavioral health organizations. The emphasis on integration underscores a policy goal of improving care coordination, streamlining resource utilization, and reducing health disparities in rural regions where healthcare fragmentation and access barriers are prevalent. The grant aims to catalyze system-level changes that enhance operational efficiencies and patient outcomes through strategic partnerships. The program plans to issue eight awards with a total program funding of approximately $2.8 million, and each award is capped at $350,000. While no cost sharing or matching is required, successful applicants must target healthcare organizations specifically located within the Delta Region. This geographic requirement ensures that the funding directly impacts those communities with heightened needs for healthcare improvements and collaborative service models. Eligible applicants span a broad range of entities, including state, county, city, and township governments; tribal governments and organizations; nonprofits (both with and without 501(c)(3) IRS status); public and private institutions of higher education; and certain for-profit organizations. This inclusive eligibility framework is designed to support partnerships between public and private stakeholders with the capacity to manage multi-organization healthcare networks. Applications must be submitted electronically by June 30, 2026, no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Although the application package is not yet available, the estimated post date is April 1, 2026, providing potential applicants a preparatory window of roughly three months. Awards are expected to be announced by September 1, 2026, with project implementation slated to begin on September 30, 2026. No pre-application components such as letters of intent or concept papers are indicated in the forecast. For more information, applicants may contact Christy Edwards at 301-945-5217 or via email at [email protected]. Additional details about this opportunity are anticipated upon the release of the full application package. The program does not indicate whether it is recurring, but since the forecast includes specific projected dates, stakeholders should prepare accordingly and monitor Grants.gov for updates.