Rural Primary Care Residency Training Grant Program

The Rural Primary Care Residency Training Grant Program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) through its Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC). This grant opportunity is aimed at expanding access to primary care in underserved rural areas of Minnesota by supporting the development and sustainability of rural residency training programs. The program was created in response to a statutory mandate under Minnesota Statutes Section 144.1507 and is designed to improve the pipeline of rural primary care physicians by helping institutions plan, establish, and sustain accredited residency programs or tracks that are based in rural communities. The grant is structured into two funding phases. Phase 1 supports planning and development activities over a one- to three-year period, including feasibility assessments, federal fund-seeking, and accreditation efforts. This phase offers up to $250,000 per year for a maximum of $750,000. Phase 2 supports the sustainability of established residency programs and may be renewed for up to five years with a ceiling of $225,000 per resident per year. Grantees must apply for and report on federal funding eligibility to continue receiving state funds, and annual amendments to add funding are available depending on performance and availability of funds. Eligible applicants include programs or potential sponsors of rural primary care residency programs in Minnesota, including clinical training sites for sustainability funds. Applicants must either have accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or present a credible plan to obtain accreditation. Training programs must focus on eligible specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine, general pediatrics, general surgery, geriatrics, or psychiatry. Rural residency training is defined by having initial training in any accredited Minnesota program, with subsequent years located in rural communities, defined as areas outside the Twin Cities metro and excluding major regional cities like Duluth or Rochester. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by July 30, 2025, through the MDH online grants portal to be eligible to apply. Full applications are due by September 5, 2025. An informational webinar will be held on July 8, 2025. Applicants must provide documentation including financial audits, proof of accreditation or plans, indirect cost rates, and federal funding eligibility and applications. Applications will be evaluated on a 100-point scale with a focus on organizational capacity, program quality, cultural responsiveness, rural impact, sustainability plans, and budget clarity. Funding will be allocated competitively, with award announcements expected in mid-October 2025. Grant agreements are projected to begin on March 1, 2026, for an initial one-year period. Regular reporting is required quarterly, and MDH will conduct monitoring visits and financial reconciliations. All inquiries must be submitted by August 15, 2025, via email to Health.ORHPC.WorkforceGrants@state.mn.us. The program underscores Minnesota’s health equity and diversity goals, prioritizing communities and residents experiencing health disparities.

Submit LOI early to verify eligibility. Only applicants who submit LOI may apply. Carefully document all accreditation plans and federal funding eligibility. Follow MDH formatting guidance exactly. Use provided budget templates and reporting forms.