Song-Brown Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM) Training Programs

The Song-Brown Certified Nurse Midwifery (CNM) Training Program is administered by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), operating under the authority of the Song-Brown Health Care Workforce Training Act (Health & Safety Code Sections 128200, et. seq.). This program aims to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities across California by funding educational institutions to train certified nurse midwives (CNMs). HCAI’s mission, aligned with broader state health goals, includes expanding access to care through a diversified and strategically placed healthcare workforce. CNM training grants support this objective by enabling programs to enroll students who are likely to serve in medically underserved areas (MUAs), particularly targeting individuals from underrepresented backgrounds. For the 2025–26 cycle, the CNM Training Program supports both existing and expanding midwifery programs. Eligible institutions may apply for funds to maintain current training slots or to add new ones. The program funds are limited to the allocation outlined in the State Budget Act of 2025, and awards are contingent on application quality and available funds. The CNM grant operates on a per-slot funding model: up to 14 existing student slots at $13,000 per filled slot (max $182,000) and up to 3 new expansion slots at $75,000 per filled slot (max $225,000). Programs may apply for both types but cannot exceed a combined total of 17 slots. These grants are one-time awards with no implied guarantee of renewal, though additional awards may be made at HCAI’s discretion if more state funding becomes available. Eligible applicants include California-based Certified Nurse Midwifery and Licensed Midwifery programs that are accredited or approved by the relevant state bodies, including the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), University of California Regents, California State University Trustees, or California Community College Board of Governors. Proof of BRN approval and a commitment to enrolling at least one student in each awarded slot by the start of the grant term are required. For expansion awards, the BRN must have approved the additional slots on or after July 1, 2024. All applicants must register and submit their applications via the eApp system at https://funding.hcai.ca.gov/. The application process includes sections on program data, expenditures, training sites, student and graduate data, assurances, and required documentation. The application cycle for the 2025–26 grant year opens August 12, 2025, with an early submission review opportunity by September 9, 2025. Final applications are due by September 24, 2025. A webinar was scheduled on August 19, 2025, to help applicants understand application requirements. Applicants submitting by the early deadline may receive feedback from Song-Brown staff and have five business days to make corrections. Applications submitted after the early deadline are considered final. The grant performance term begins July 1, 2026, and runs through August 31, 2028, with award announcements expected in January 2026. Proposals are scored based on how well they align with Song-Brown statutory priorities, including graduate placement in MUAs, training site locations, and the payer mix at those sites. A maximum of 75 points is possible, allocated evenly across these categories. The program prohibits the use of funds for indirect costs, recruitment stipends, or to replace existing funding. Payments are made quarterly in arrears upon submission of certified training data, and final payments are withheld until all required reports are submitted and approved. Institutions must maintain thorough accounting records and are subject to audits for at least three years following final payment. All awardees must adhere strictly to grant terms and cannot propose alternative agreement language. Press releases related to awards must be submitted to HCAI at least two weeks before publication for review and approval. The department reserves the right to alter or delay external communications in coordination with other agencies. Grant recipients are encouraged to maintain close communication with program staff and to follow the formal dispute resolution and contract modification procedures outlined in the agreement.

Submit early for a one-time review window; ensure documentation matches BRN-approved slots; errors after early deadline are final.