[Health Resources and Services Administration](https://www.hrsa.gov)

May 2026

Up to $750,000 per award; estimated total program funding $11,250,000; approximately 15 awards expected.

Supports the creation of new, accredited rural physician residency programs to improve health care access and address physician shortages in rural communities.

--- ## Description The Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) program aims to improve and expand access to rural health care by supporting the development of new, accredited, and sustainable rural physician residency programs, including rural track programs (RTPs). The program addresses physician shortages in rural areas by increasing training opportunities and ultimately encouraging more physicians to practice in underserved rural communities. Funding is provided as start-up support for the creation of new rural residency programs in specific medical specialties. Long-term sustainability of these programs must be ensured through stable funding sources such as Medicare, Medicaid, or other public/private sources. Eligible specialties include: - Family medicine - Internal medicine - Preventive medicine - Psychiatry - General surgery - Obstetrics and gynecology To qualify, rural residency programs must: - Be accredited physician residency programs - Train residents in clinical sites located in rural areas (as defined by HRSA’s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy) for over 50% of the residency period - Prepare physicians specifically for practice in rural communities --- ## Due Dates - May 2026 (anticipated full application deadline; electronically submitted applications due by 11:59 p.m. ET) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $750,000 per project - Estimated total funding available: $11,250,000 - Expected number of awards: 15 - No cost-sharing or matching required --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants include: - State, county, city, or township governments - Special district governments - Independent school districts - Public and private institutions of higher education - Federally recognized and other Native American tribal governments/organizations - Nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status, except institutions of higher education) - For-profit organizations (including small businesses) - Others, as specified **Additional requirement:** Only domestic organizations are eligible, defined as those in the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted electronically by the anticipated deadline. - Review the [official grants.gov listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360998) for application instructions and updates. - Prepare documentation demonstrating eligibility, proposed program structure, and plans for sustainability. - Contact the program officer for guidance as needed. --- ## Additional Information - The program is forecasted; all details, including deadlines, are subject to change. - Residency programs must ensure that over 50% of resident training occurs in rural areas as defined by HRSA. - Long-term sustainability planning is essential for successful proposals. --- ## External Links - [HRSA RRPD Program Page](https://www.hrsa.gov/grants/find-funding/HRSA-26-047) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/360998) - [HRSA’s Rural Health Eligibility Tool](https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/rural-health/rural-health-eligibility) - [About HRSA](https://www.hrsa.gov/about) - [Contact HRSA](https://www.hrsa.gov/about/contact) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |---------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------| | Jason Steele | [ruralresidency@hrsa.gov](mailto:ruralresidency@hrsa.gov) | (301) 443-2203 |

Rural Residency Planning and Development Program

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