HRSA www.hrsa.gov within HHS posted the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) “Rural Health Network Development Planning Program” (Network Planning) (HRSA-18-034) www.grants.gov on December 21, 2017. The estimated total program funding will be $2,000,000 with the estimated number of awards expected to be 20.
The main objective for the grants is to expand the development of healthcare networks to achieve efficiency, access, improve coordination, improve essential healthcare services, and strengthen the rural healthcare system as a whole.
A rural health network is defined as an organizational arrangement among at least three separately owned regional or local healthcare providers to develop strategies to improve the delivery of health services in a community. For example, a critical access hospital, a community health center, and a public health department may want to collaborate to form a network around a shared purpose.
The applicant organization must be a rural nonprofit or rural public entity representing a consortium or network composed of three or more healthcare providers. Federally recognized tribal entities are eligible to apply as long as they are located in a rural area.
An applicant webinar will be held January 24, 2018 from 2 pm to 3 pm Eastern. The call in number is 877-951-7311 using the participant code 6321567.
The grant application is due February 23, 2018. For more information contact Sara Afayee at 301-945-4169 or email Safayee@hrsa.gov.