Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities (SOHW)
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The Health Resources and Services Administration is offering the Grants to States to Support Oral Health Workforce Activities program to fund state-level initiatives that address dental care shortages. Award recipients will develop and implement innovative programs in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas, with allowable activities including loan forgiveness, recruitment, dental residency expansion, community-based prevention, and teledentistry. Eligible applicants are limited to one governor-designated state entity per state, and proposals will be evaluated based on need, response, performance management, impact, resources, and budget. This discretionary grant opportunity requires a mandatory 40 percent non-federal cost-sharing match. Applications must be submitted electronically by July 17, 2026, to compete for one of approximately 37 five-year awards capped at $400,000 per year out of an estimated $14.8 million in total program funding.
Eligible Applicants
These types of domestic* organizations may apply:State governor-designated entities such as:The office of the state dental director.State-run university or dental school.State or special district government, including the District of Columbia, domestic territories, and freely associated states.We encourage states to work with tribal entities to facilitate greater coordination between states and tribal governments. We will only accept one application per state. All states are eligible to apply. If you are a current recipient with a period of performance ending on August 31, 2026, you are eligible to apply.