Rural Health Transformation Program - NOFO CMS-RHT-26-001 - Application Instructions

Sep 21, 2026

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHT) NOFO CMS-RHT-26-001 provides application guidance for state governments seeking to transform rural healthcare delivery. The program supports innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce investment to improve access, quality, and outcomes. It outlines eligibility, required preparations including SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations, application components and formatting, review and award processes, submission deadlines, and post-award administrative requirements. Key goals include preventative care, sustainable provider access, workforce development, and innovative care models.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages124

Reading Time5 h 12 min

AccessFree to download

Before you begin

Step 1: Review the Opportunity

Basic information

Summary

Funding details

Eligibility

Program description

Step 2: Get Ready to Apply

Get registered

Find the application package

Step 3: Build Your Application

Application checklist

Application contents and format

Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award

Application review

Award notices

Step 5: Submit Your Application

Application submission and deadlines

Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award

Post-award requirements and administration

Contacts and Support

Appendix

Notice of Funding Opportunity Application due November 5, 2025 Rural Health Transformation Program Opportunity number: CMS-RHT-26-001 Contents Before you begin 3 | Step 1: Review the Opportunity 4
Basic information 5
Summary 5
Funding details 6
Eligibility 7
Program description 10 | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | Step 2: Get Ready to Apply
Get registered
Find the application package | 23
24
24 | | | Step 3: Build Your Application
Application checklist
Application contents and format | 25
26
27 | | | Step 4: Understand Review, Selection, and Award
Application review
Award notices | 46
47
54 | | | Step 5: Submit Your Application
Application submission and deadlines | 55
56 | | | Step 6: Learn What Happens After Award
Post-award requirements and administration | 58
59 | | | Contacts and Support | 62 | | | Appendix | 64 | Endnotes 124 Before you begin If you believe you are a good candidate for this funding opportunity, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now. If you are already registered, make sure your registrations are active and up-to-date. SAM.gov registration (this can take several weeks) You must have an [active account with SAM.gov. This](active account with SAM.gov. This) includes having a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) . See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply Grants.gov registration (this can take several days) You must have an [active Grants.gov](active Grants.gov) registration. Doing so [requires a Login.gov](requires a Login.gov)[ ](requires a Login.gov)[registration as well.](registration as well.) See Step 2: Get Ready to Apply Apply by the application due date Applications are due by 11:59 p. m. Eastern Time on November 5, 2025. To help you find what you need, this NOFO uses internal links. In Adobe Reader, you can go back to where you were by pressing Alt + Left Arrow (Windows) or Command + Left Arrow (Mac) on your keyboard. 1. Review 2. Get Ready 3. Build 4. Understand 5. Submit 6. Award Contacts Step 1: Review the Opportunity In this step Basic information 5 Summary 5 Funding details 6 Eligibility 7 Program description 10 Basic information Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Supporting rural communities to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes through system transformation. Summary The Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program helps State governments to support rural communities across America in improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. The RHT Program focuses on promoting innovation, strategic partnerships, infrastructure development, and workforce investment. States will help rural communities meet these strategic goals: • Make rural America healthy again: Support rural health innovations and new access points to promote preventative health and address root causes of diseases. Projects will use evidence-based, outcomes-driven interventions to improve disease prevention, chronic disease management, behavioral health, and prenatal care. • Sustainable access: Help rural providers become long-term access points for care by improving efficiency and sustainability. With RHT Program support, rural facilities work together—or with high-quality regional systems—to share or coordinate operations, technology, primary and specialty care, and emergency services. • Workforce development: Attract and retain a high-skilled health care workforce by strengthening recruitment and retention of healthcare providers in rural communities. Help rural providers practice at the top of their license and develop a broader set of providers to serve a rural community’s needs, such as community health workers, pharmacists, and individuals trained to help patients navigate the healthcare system. • Innovative care: Spark the growth of innovative care models to i

FAQs

What is the Rural Health Transformation Program and who is it intended to support?

The RHT Program helps state governments support rural communities across the United States by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes through transformation of the healthcare delivery ecosystem.

What major registrations are required before applying?

Applicants must have an active SAM.gov account with a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and an active Grants.gov registration that also requires Login.gov registration.

When is the application due and what is the expected award timing?

Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 5, 2025. The expected award date is December 31, 2025, with the earliest expected start date also listed as December 31, 2025.

Sep 21, 2026

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