More than $50 million available in new rural health grants

Applications are open for a new wave of $50.5 million in Rural Health Transformation Program grants through the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services.

New grants are available across an array of topic areas including childcare for rural healthcare workers, technology support and equipment and technology upgrades for rural ambulance services.

“These funding opportunities give communities the flexibility to invest in what they need most, whether that’s supporting healthcare workers, improving access to care, promoting healthier lifestyles or using technology in new ways,” interim HHS Commissioner Pat Traynor said in a Thursday news release.

The new grants and application deadlines are:

• Supporting statewide behavioral health needs assessments and training for parents and caregivers to better support behavioral health. One grant for $500,000. Due Aug. 8.
• Equipment and technology grants to strengthen rural ambulance services. About $22 million in total funding. About 110 grants of $200,000 each. Due Aug. 9.
• Childcare solutions to recruit and retain rural healthcare workers. About $3 million in total funding. Thirty-eight grants of about $78,000 each. Due Aug. 11.
• Remote patient monitoring technology to assist patient access to home care. About $1.6 million in total funding. Twenty grants of about $80,000 each. Due Aug. 14.
• Telehealth infrastructure grants for rural and tribal communities. About $3.6 million in total funding. Twenty-five grants of about $144,000 each. Due Aug. 14.
• Technology support to reduce reliance on in-person rural healthcare staff. About $5 million in total funding. Twenty grants averaging $250,000 each. Due Aug. 18.

“Every community faces different challenges, so there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to improving rural health,” Traynor said.

North Dakota officials celebrate being among big winners in federal rural health funding

Information about an additional $2 million in grant funding to buy accessible vehicles to serve rural residents, including Medicaid recipients, and non-emergency appointments is expected to be announced in coming weeks, the department said. Those grants will have four recipients with an average award of about $500,000 each.

The department said applicants may apply for more than one grant. Additional information, eligibility requirements and application materials can be found through the HHS website.

The new grants are part of North Dakota’s nearly $200 million first year allotment to strengthen rural healthcare as part of the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2025.

North Dakota Monitor reporter Michael Achterling can be reached at [email protected].