Rural Communities Opioid Response Program-Overdose Response

Background
The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is a multi-year initiative by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) aimed at reducing disease and death related to substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), in high-risk rural communities.

The program supports over 1,900 rural communities across 47 states and 2 territories, providing services to over 2 million individuals in 2022. The RCORP – Overdose Response specifically aims to improve health care in rural areas by addressing immediate and short-term needs related to substance use disorder services. Ultimately, it aims to reduce and prevent the risk of overdoses in these areas.

Grant Details
The RCORP – Overdose Response grant will fund the establishment and/or expansion of substance use disorder prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services in targeted rural service areas. Key tasks include:
- Establishing or expanding SUD/OUD care delivery sites.
- Creating Quick Response Teams (QRTs) that include EMS, law enforcement, and social workers/peer specialists to respond immediately to opioid overdoses.
- Screening individuals for SUD/OUD and connecting them with treatment and other services.
- Establishing Bridge Clinics for interim treatment following an overdose.
- Providing recovery housing and establishing recovery community organizations. All activities must be culturally appropriate, accessible, and inclusive of individuals with lived experience.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include domestic public or private non-profit or for-profit entities such as public/private institutions of higher education, non-profits with or without 501(c)(3) status, state/local governments, independent school districts, Native American tribal governments/organizations, and more. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applications must meet completeness criteria including targeting only HRSA-designated rural areas.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for the grant is expected to be from September 1, 2025, to August 31, 2026.

Grant Value
The total available funding for FY 2025 is $6 million with up to 20 grants awarded at a maximum of $300,000 each.

Place of Performance
Services supported by this grant must be delivered in HRSA-designated rural counties and census tracts.