Rural Health Transformation Funding for Community Paramedici

The Maine Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services is soliciting applications for Rural Health Transformation funding to initiate or expand Community Paramedicine services in rural areas, with applications due August 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. local time. This funding targets Maine EMS agencies serving HRSA-eligible rural zip codes, with priority given to applicants in Washington and Aroostoak counties and preference for those operating in Lincoln County.

Eligible applicants are all Maine EMS licensed agencies, including non-transporting and ground ambulance services, which may collaborate regionally. The lead agency must obtain or maintain a Community Paramedicine license throughout the contract period. Agencies may participate in multiple regional applications but can serve as lead on only one. The anticipated contract period runs September 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.

The Department anticipates $4,964,064 in total available funding across all awards for FY2026. Individual agencies may request up to $500,000; regional groups may request up to $750,000 when including collaborative projects such as quality assurance, quality improvement, educational initiatives, or collaborative planning activities. Allowable uses include prevention and chronic disease management, provider payments, consumer technology solutions, training and technical assistance, workforce recruitment and retention, information technology advances, behavioral health services, innovative care models, capital expenditures and infrastructure improvements, and provider collaboration. Non-allowable uses include pre-award costs, construction or new building expansion, lobbying, meals (with limited exceptions), covered telecommunications equipment, and activities designed to supplant existing state or local funding.

The Department will evaluate applications on a 100-point scale weighted across Organization Qualifications and Experience (10 points), Rurality (20 points), Proposed Project (45 points), and Budget (25 points). Multiple awards are anticipated. Awarded applicants must provide quarterly updates, project deliverables, and case studies documenting lessons learned. Questions are due August 4, 2026.