27EHSCARHTPRURALPARTNERSRFA: Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Rural Partners RFA

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is requesting applications from qualified rural entities to participate in the implementation of activities under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a landmark $800 million, five-year federal investment, with applications due October 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET and questions due October 14, 2026.

Eligibility is restricted to rural-located facilities, providers, municipalities, and community organizations serving communities designated as Rural Level 1 or Rural Level 2 under the Massachusetts Department of Public Health rural classification system, which identifies 150+ towns across 14 Massachusetts counties organized into 13 geographic clusters. Applicants must serve communities within the established rural regions or demonstrate substantial service to designated rural populations.

The scope spans seven initiative areas: Population Health Advancement (including chronic disease management networks, home visiting, and mobile health units); Innovation in Rural Care Models (Rural MA Connect referral platforms, youth behavioral health services, remote patient monitoring, specialty care networks); Training Healthcare for Retention, Innovation, and Excellence—THRIVE (workforce recruitment and retention); Healthy Rural Communities; Enhancing Technology Interoperability and Connectivity (rural digital health sandboxes, telehealth expansion); and Facility Modernization and Re-Use (capital improvements). Applicants select from eligible activity areas matching their organization type and capacity. Capital funding varies by entity type: rural hospitals may request up to $2.5 million, primary care sites up to $1.5 million, and nursing facilities up to $1 million per facility.

All funding ($162,005,238.13 total) is provided 100 percent by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services through federal financial assistance. Awardees will be sub-recipients subject to OMB Circular A-133 audit requirements and compliance with applicable federal regulations. The initial participation period runs October 30, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Direct funding award amounts will be determined following application review, based on the number and scope of eligible applications, available funding within each activity, program priorities, and implementation support needs. Applications must be submitted electronically through COMMBUYS; hard copy submissions are not accepted. Partner Validation Forms are required for all named partners.