Rural Health Transformation Grant Applications

Rural Health Transformation Grant Applications is sponsored by Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) / Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). These grants fund organizations that help rural Arizonans navigate health insurance enrollment and connect with healthcare, substance-use treatment, chronic-disease services, and other community and social supports.

Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Posted on 3/14/2025 @ 10:23AM AHCCCS has received confirmation that its mainframe system connectivity is fully restored. Thank you for your patience.

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1 (One Big Beautiful Bill Act) Provider Payment Information Rural Health Transformation Program Using Technology to Improve Patient Care Whole Person Care Initiative (WPCI) Statewide Closed-Loop Referral System Foster/Kinship/Adoptive Families Service Members & Veterans Arizona Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) How Arizona Is Distributing RHTP Funds Beginning in Spring 2026, Arizona will use a range of competitive and direct award grant programs to distribute RHTP funding to organizations doing work on the ground.

Types of Funding Mechanisms Requests for Grant Applications (RFGA) — competitive, open solicitations for eligible organizations Cooperative Agreements — collaborative funding arrangements for larger, multi-year partnerships Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) — formal agreements with Tribal governments, local health departments, and other state agencies Contract Amendments — modifications to existing agreements with managed care plans and established providers Multi-Tier Grants — we’re designing flexible awards with grant tiers as small as $10,000 and up so organizations of all sizes can apply.

Technical Assistance & Support Technical assistance will be available to help smaller organizations apply and administer funds. Dedicated technical assistance for Tribal Nations and tribal health organizations will also be available. For Vendors and Contractors All RHTP contracts and subawards include applicable federal and state requirements.

Administrative costs for all funds are capped at 10% per federal requirements, no exceptions. Vendors providing products and services to grantees should be prepared meet federal audit standards (2 CFR Part 200, Single Audit requirements for entities expending $1 million in federal funds).

Applicants are encouraged to review the funding announcement associated with each RFGA for instructions on accessing application materials and submitting questions during the open application period. The table below summarizes all Budget Year 1 RFGAs released under the Arizona RHTP. Additional RFGAs will be added as they are released by AHCCCS, ADHS, and OEO.

Please continue to visit the Arizona RHTP website regularly for the latest announcements, updates, and program information. View the AHCCCS Grants Initiatives page. Opioid Antagonist Distribution Initiative RFGA Released: July 10, 2026 Provides rural counties, Tribal communities, small fire districts, and frontier clinics with expanded capacity to prevent and respond to opioid overdoses.

Funded activities include: procurement and distribution of opioid antagonist kits such as naloxone for first responders, rural clinics, Tribal community health representatives, school nurses, and community partners; overdose recognition and response training for volunteer EMS, rural firefighters, and county public health workers; rural readiness support such as medication storage and emergency communications; Tribal partnership support to equip community members and paraprofessional responders with localized overdose prevention protocols.

Opioid Antagonist Distribution Initiative RFGA Application: Euna Grants - Grants Network FY2026 Cooperative Agreements for States and Territories to Improve Local 988 Capacity The purpose of this program is to improve state and territory response to all 988 contacts (including calls, chats, and texts) originating in the state/territory and improve service for populations at high risk of suicide and overdose.

Application deadline: July 17, 2026 Expected Award Date: 9/1/2026 Expected Start Date: 9/30/2026 Length of Project Period: 3 years Request for Grant Application Opioid Antagonist Distribution Initiative ($1,500,000) Webinar Registration - Zoom Telehealth Digital Transformation, Adoption, and Care Coordination Grant ($17,000,000) Medical Diagnostic Equipment and Technology, including EHR Upgrades & Data Sharing Initiative ($30,100,000.

32) Webinar Registration – Zoom Rural Health Innovative Care Pilot Program ($21,000,000) Technical Assistance for Operational and Fiscal Performance ($2,800,000) Webinar Registration – Zoom Adopt Shared Services Consortiums ($5,000,000) August 7, 2026 Time: 1:00 – 2:00 PM MST Webinar Registration - Zoom Expansion of Mobile Digital Services Access Points, Clinics, and Crisis Services in Rural Communities ($8,500,000) Webinar Registration - Zoom Patient Navigator Program ($5,000,000) Time: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM MST Webinar Registration – Google Meet Better healthcare.

Closer to home. Arizona is investing nearly $167 million in federal funding to transform healthcare in rural communities across the state — expanding access, training more providers, and strengthening the health systems that more than 786,000 Arizonans depend on every day.

Program Runs : December 2025 – October 2030 Lead Agency : Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) Rural Provider, hospital or community health organization? Grant opportunities are coming Spring 2026. All awards will be finalized by Summer 2026.

Tribal Nation or Health Organization? You are a priority partner. Dedicated support, technical assistance, and grant opportunities will begin Spring 2026.

Prospective vendor, or contractor? Limited procurement opportunities are coming Spring 2026. Learn how this program will improve health care in rural Arizona below.

The Problem We’re Solving More than 786,000 Arizonans (11% of total population) live in rural areas where healthcare is critically strained and hard to reach.

The nearest hospital is, on average, 20 miles away Some rural areas have just one behavioral health provider for every 50,000 people Rural residents earn $24,000 less than urban Arizonans and suffer higher rates of unemployment, chronic disease, preventable illness and injuries, and death Nearly half of rural women must travel more than 30 minutes for maternal care and American Indian women face maternal mortality rates 7x higher than the state average This program is Arizona’s most significant investment in rural health in a generation.

It is designed to improve healthcare access, build a stronger rural health workforce, and create lasting change. Arizona’s program is built around four areas of investment. Funding flows to rural hospitals, clinics, Tribal health programs, universities, nonprofits, and community organizations working in these areas.

Arizona’s RHTP proposal focuses on four strategic goals: Rural Health Workforce Development Priority Health Initiatives Strengthening Rural Health Systems These efforts are designed to improve health outcomes while making care more affordable and reliable.

Building the Rural Health Workforce $43 million per year | Led by the Arizona Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) Too many rural communities can’t find or keep doctors, nurses, and behavioral health providers.

We’re fixing that through the Rural Health Workforce Training and Development Program by funding financial incentives and supports to recruit and retain medical staff, as well as expansions to rural health education and training programs, residencies, career pipelines starting in K-12.

Tackling the Biggest Health Challenges $31 million per year | Led by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and AHCCCS Targeted public health grants address behavioral health and substance use disorder (SUDs), maternal-fetal health, and chronic disease prevention and management — the issues hitting rural Arizonans hardest.

$38 million per year | Led by AHCCCS We’re meeting patients where they are — through telehealth, mobile clinics, and innovative care models that bring services to communities instead of making communities travel long distances to receive them. Strengthening Rural Health Systems $38 million per year | Led by AHCCCS Rural hospitals and clinics often operate on razor-thin margins.

We’re helping providers share costs, modernize operations, and build the financial stability to serve their communities long-term. This program only works through partnership. Arizona is working closely with: 22 Federally recognized Tribal Nations — through government-to-government consultations, not checkbox engagement.

Critical Access Hospitals and rural clinics across all rural counties Public Arizona universities and community colleges building the next generation of rural providers Local and county health departments and community-based organizations Arizona's Governor's Office, AHCCCS, OEO, and ADHS — coordinating as one team Frequently Asked Questions Funding goes to organizations, not individuals.

This includes local governments, hospitals, universities, community colleges, community health centers, nonprofits, rural health associations and consortiums, federally recognized Tribes, and more. Specific eligiblity wil be listed with each grant opportunity. Are Tribal communities included?

Yes — as a top priority. Ongoing government-to-government Tribal Consultation with 22 federally recognized Tribes in Arizona will continue throughout the five-year program. Prospective grant applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate meaningful partnership and engagement with Tribal health organizations across all four investment areas.

How do I know if my organization qualifies? Check back when applications open — eligibility criteria will be clearly listed. When in doubt, reach out.

We'd rather help you figure out if you're eligible than have you not apply. Is this just for healthcare providers? No. Universities, community colleges, nonprofits, social service organizations, and Tribal and local governments are all potential partners and applicants depending on the program area.

When will money actually start flowing? Year 1 funding is targeted to be fully committed by October 30, 2026. Grantees have until September 30, 2027 to spend funds.

The RHTP Steering Committee will be established by Governor Hobbs to provide executive recommendations on implementation and program direction on an ongoing basis for the full five-year program. It will include senior leaders from AHCCCS, ADHS, OEO, the Governor’s Office, and rural health stakeholders. Meeting schedules, members, and materials will be posted here once the committee is active.

Arizona is committed to transparency and collaboration throughout RHTP implementation, including: Ongoing stakeholder engagement, with listening sessions, advisory groups, and regular updates Community-centered implementation, including programs led by agencies with strong rural experience Clear accountability, encompassing regular reporting and public updates on progress For questions, please contact RHTP@azahcccs.

gov CMS Rural Health Transformation Program Overview CMS Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) RHTP Frequently Asked Questions (10/31/2025) RHTP Frequently Asked Questions (04/09/2026) Arizona’s Approved Budget Narrative Arizona’s Approved Program Narrative Arizona’s RHT Program White Paper Arizona’s Notice of Award 12/29/25 Disclaimer: This website is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $166,988,955,92 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS.

The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. Hi! I'm AVA, the AHCCCS Virtual Assistant.

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