2026 Health Professionals Clinical Training Expansion Grant Program

The FY26 Health Professionals Clinical Training Expansion Grant Program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Office of Rural Health and Primary Care. This state-funded initiative is designed to expand and strengthen Minnesota’s health care workforce by supporting clinical training programs for specific categories of health professionals. This includes the establishment of new training programs and the expansion of existing ones in rural and underserved urban communities across Minnesota. The grant is authorized under Minnesota Statutes Section 144.1505 and aligns with the state’s priorities around health equity and increasing access to care. The grant supports clinical training programs in five health professional categories: Advanced Practice Registered Nursing (APRN), Dental Therapy or Advanced Dental Therapy, Mental Health Professional programs, Pharmacy, and Physician Assistant programs. To be eligible, programs must be located in Minnesota, train students who live and work in the state, and be accredited or candidates for accreditation by the appropriate bodies. Physician and dental residency programs are specifically excluded from eligibility, as they fall under a separate grant program. Each applicant organization can hold up to two HPCE grants, provided there is no overlap in training focus or departments. Two types of grants are offered under this program: one-year planning grants up to $75,000 and three-year expansion grants up to $300,000. The overall estimated program funding is $700,000, with three to five awards expected. There is no matching requirement for this grant. Funds can be used for a wide range of eligible activities including program development, student recruitment, faculty support, travel, training site improvements, and cultural responsiveness training. However, certain expenses are disallowed, including political contributions, supplanting existing funds, and duplicate state-funded activities. Applications must be submitted via the MDH Online Grants Portal no later than 4:30 p.m. CT on August 4, 2025. The application process includes a detailed narrative, a work plan, budget, organizational capacity description, and various required attachments such as financial statements and accreditation documentation. MDH strongly encourages submission before the deadline to allow time to resolve any technical issues. An informational webinar will be held on July 10, 2025, and presentation slides will be posted by July 17, 2025. Applicants can email questions by July 18, 2025, and responses will be publicly posted. Evaluation of applications will follow a 100-point scoring rubric with three major sections: organizational capacity, project narrative/work plan, and budget narrative. The grant prioritizes proposals that promote health equity, demonstrate collaborative partnerships, and have a sustainable plan beyond the grant period. Quarterly progress reports and financial invoicing are required from grantees, with MDH conducting monitoring visits and financial reconciliations depending on the award size. Grantees must also meet all state compliance requirements related to non-discrimination, data privacy, and record retention. For more information or assistance, applicants can contact the MDH Office of Rural Health and Primary Care via email at Health.ORHPC.WorkforceGrants@state.mn.us or by phone at 651-201-3895. The estimated award announcement date is early October 2025, with grant agreements beginning around January 1, 2026.

Submit early to address technical issues. Include all required attachments. Ensure alignment with funding priorities like health equity and rural care access.