Federal Grant Award Summary

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services received a $226,497 Project Grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration's Bureau of Health Professionals under the Grants to States for Loan Repayment program (CFDA 93.165). The award, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, supports Utah's educational loan repayment program designed to increase the availability of primary healthcare clinicians in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Through this three-year funding period, the state will administer loan repayment assistance to eligible healthcare providers—including physicians, dentists, nurse practitioners, mental health professionals, and other licensed practitioners—who commit to practicing in designated underserved communities within Utah.

The program delivers loan repayment services as an incentive mechanism to attract and retain healthcare professionals in rural and medically underserved areas throughout the state. UDHHS will utilize the federal grant funds to establish and operate the loan repayment component of its healthcare workforce development strategy, with sub-awards distributed through its network of local health departments and community-based organizations across Utah's 29 counties. The initiative reflects a strategic federal investment in expanding healthcare workforce capacity and improving access to primary care services in populations facing healthcare provider shortages.