Healthy Oregon Workforce Training Opportunity (HOWTO) Grant Program - Round 6

The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) are issuing a Request for Grant Proposals (RFGP) for the Healthy Oregon Workforce Training Opportunity (HOWTO) Grant Program - Round 6, targeting healthcare workforce development across Oregon, with a specific focus on Benton County. The procurement seeks innovative training initiatives that address documented shortages in local healthcare workforce needs, particularly for culturally/linguistically diverse, economically marginalized, tribal, rural, and underserved communities. Proposers must submit comprehensive project plans including a project narrative covering problem statements, goals, objectives, outcomes, program plans, evaluation strategies, organizational capabilities, and sustainability plans. Evaluation will be conducted using a detailed scoring rubric with 90 possible points, assessing criteria such as innovation, workforce need alignment, increased workforce capacity, diversity advancement, culturally responsive services, organizational capacity, and project planning. The solicitation (OregonBuys Number S-44300-000008989) has a proposal submission deadline of December 16, 2024, with multiple informational webinars held on October 23 and November 7, 2024, to provide additional guidance to potential applicants.

The grant opportunity is open to a wide range of organizations, with no restrictions based on business type or designation, though only one proposal per organization per round is permitted. Eligible applicants include educational institutions, healthcare service organizations, community-based organizations, and other entities seeking to develop workforce training programs. While no specific set-aside designations are mentioned, the program emphasizes advancing health equity and supporting diverse organizations. Funding is available for up to $1 million per proposal, with the total program budget approximately $9 million over the 2023-2025 biennium. Proposals can request between $300,000 and $1 million, with funds intended to support new or expanded workforce development initiatives. The program does not require matching funds but expects applicants to demonstrate how HOWTO funds will create meaningful improvements in healthcare workforce development. Grantees will be required to submit semi-annual progress and expenditure reports, and the grant period is anticipated to begin on June 16, 2025.