Rural Health Network Advancement Program

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announces the Rural Health Network Advancement Program (RHNAP), a pilot initiative administered by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The program’s purpose is to provide startup "seed" funding to help existing, integrated rural health networks expand, evolve, and coordinate clinical or operational integration, thereby improving care delivery, preserving access to essential services, and strengthening financial and workforce sustainability. The program expects to award approximately six grants in FY 2026, totaling $3,000,000. Individual awards are capped at $500,000 per year over a four-year period of performance from September 30, 2026, to September 29, 2030. Applications are due by July 24, 2026. Eligible applicants include domestic public or private, non-profit or for-profit entities that represent an established network of three or more separately owned healthcare providers. At least 66% of these network members must be physically located in a HRSA-designated rural area. Applicants must select one of two distinct funding tracks: 1. **Operational Track:** Focuses on improving financial viability, infrastructure, and efficiency through shared operational services, billing coordination, and joint contracting. 2. **Clinical Services Track:** Focuses on establishing or strengthening sustainable clinical service lines, such as behavioral health, maternal health, or specialty care, to meet quantified community needs and reduce patient bypass. Key application requirements include consultation with the State Office of Rural Health, formal network governance documentation, and detailed four-year work and staffing plans.

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy announces the Rural Health Network Advancement Program (RHNAP) for fiscal year 2026. As a pilot initiative, RHNAP provides startup seed funding to help existing, integrated rural health networks expand and evolve to meet the needs of their member hospitals and clinics. The program expects to award approximately six grants of up to $500,000 per year for a four-year period of performance from September 30, 2026, to September 29, 2030. Eligible applicants include domestic public or private, non-profit or for-profit entities, including tribes, community health centers, and rural hospitals. Applicants must demonstrate experience serving rural, medically underserved populations and represent an established network of at least three separately owned healthcare providers, with at least two-thirds physically located in HRSA-designated rural areas. Applicants must select one of two funding tracks: * **Track 1: Operational Track:** Focuses on improving financial viability, efficiency, and infrastructure through shared operational services, centralized billing, joint contracting, and data analytics. * **Track 2: Clinical Services Track:** Focuses on establishing or strengthening sustainable clinical service lines (e.g., behavioral health, maternal care) to increase patient volume, local service utilization, and revenue. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by July 24, 2026. Proposals will undergo a 100-point merit review evaluating project need, response/approach, performance reporting, impact/sustainability, organizational resources, and budget support. Funding is subject to the availability of federal appropriations.