HHS announces first Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunity to strengthen rural health care workforce

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 - 03:30 pm

North Dakota Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the first Rural Health Transformation Program funding opportunity is now available to support the retention of health care professionals in North Dakota’s 37 critical access hospitals and their owned and operated clinics. The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. CT April 30.

Supporting and retaining the rural health workforce is one of the key strategic pillars in North Dakota’s five-year, statewide Rural Health Transformation Program plan. These retention grants are meant to make rural practice more sustainable for existing practitioners.

“Rural health care workers are the backbone of their communities and play a vital role in helping North Dakota become the healthiest state in the nation,” said HHS Interim Commissioner Pat Traynor. “This funding focuses on keeping skilled professionals in communities that rely on them. When providers stay in rural areas, North Dakotans experience more consistent care and stronger local health systems.”

About $10 million in federal funding is available in year one for critical access hospitals and their owned and operated clinics to implement strategies such as retention bonuses, tuition reimbursement and training and career advancement; child care partnerships; workplace wellness programs; mentorship and professional development programs and other retention efforts that strengthen the rural health workforce now and for the future. Some strategies require a minimum five-year service commitment.

HHS is also coordinating two surveys in the coming months to gather background information on rural health infrastructure and workforce needs to guide future funding opportunities.

“Local communities understand their workforce needs best, and we look forward to supporting creative strategies to help keep health care professionals practicing in rural North Dakota. Keep an eye on our website as we roll out additional funding opportunities,” said Traynor.

Technical Assistance Opportunity

HHS will host a technical assistance meeting at 3 p.m. CT Monday, March 30, for interested critical access hospital staff to ask questions about this funding opportunity. A Microsoft Teams link and call-in information will be posted on the RHTP website in the coming days.

For more information on this funding opportunity and to apply, visit hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) awarded North Dakota $199 million for the first year of the Rural Health Transformation Program, a once-in-a-generation investment to strengthen rural health systems, expand access to care and improve health outcomes for North Dakotans living in rural communities. Future funding amounts will be determined by CMS based on the state’s progress in successfully implementing the program.

The Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by CMS of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $198,936,969.55 with 100% funded by CMS/US HHS. The contents are those of North Dakota Health and Human Services and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/US HHS, or the U.S. Government.