Rural Health Transformation Program

The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program, designated as opportunity CMS-RHT-26-001, is a federal initiative by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) offering $50 billion over five budget periods (FY2026-FY2030) to the 50 U.S. States. Its purpose is to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in rural communities through innovation, partnerships, infrastructure, and workforce investment. Eligible applicants are State governments, which must submit a single application by November 5, 2025, including a letter of endorsement from the governor. Funding is distributed through a cooperative agreement, comprising baseline funding equally divided among approved States and workload funding based on application quality and rural factors. Funds can be used for at least three of eleven permissible categories, including prevention, provider payments, workforce development, and technology. There is no cost-sharing requirement, but administrative expenses are capped at 10% of the award. The program emphasizes stakeholder engagement and a robust sustainability plan for initiatives post-funding. Registration with SAM.gov and Grants.gov is mandatory before applying.