Rural Health Network Development Planning Program

Background
The Rural Health Network Development Planning Program aims to plan and develop integrated health care networks that collaborate to achieve efficiencies, expand access to and improve the quality of basic health care services, and strengthen the rural health care system. The program supports one year of planning and brings together members of the health care delivery system, particularly those entities that may not have collaborated in the past, to establish and/or improve local capacity in order to strengthen rural community health interventions and enhance care coordination.

Grant Details
The program is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 254c(f) (§ 330A(f) of the Public Health Service Act) and anticipates awarding rural health network development grants. The program aims to assist in the planning of a health care network, specifically with network participants who do not have a history of formal collaborative efforts. The program is expected to fund up to 30 new grants with an estimated annual award amount of up to $100,000 per award, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The period of performance is from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025 (1 year).

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include domestic public or private, non-profit, or for-profit entities with demonstrated experience serving or the capacity to serve rural underserved populations. Applicants must represent a network that includes at least three or more healthcare providers which may be rural, urban, nonprofit, or for-profit entities. Applicants should not have previously received a grant under 42 U.S.C. 254c(f) for the same or similar project.

Period of Performance
The period of performance is from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025 (1 year).

Grant Value
The anticipated total available funding for FY 2024 is $3,000,000 with an estimated number of up to 30 new grants. Each grant may receive up to $100,000 annually subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Cost sharing or matching is not required for this program.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic location(s) where the grant will be performed should include rural counties or rural census tracts that will be served through the proposed project.