Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) - Alaska

Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) - Alaska is sponsored by Alaska Department of Health (via Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services). The Rural Health Transformation Program aims to improve healthcare in rural areas by funding projects that enhance access, quality, and outcomes. Alaska is a top recipient, addressing its unique geographic and healthcare access challenges.

Rural Health Transformation Program | State of Alaska | Department of Health The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a $50 billion federal opportunity to improve health care in rural areas across all fifty states. The Alaska Department of Health (DOH) received notice of award from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to bring this funding to Alaska.

Alaska is one of the top recipients nationwide, reflecting the state’s large rural population, geographic challenges, and long-standing health care access needs. Alaska will receive $272,174,856 in the first year to support targeted, systemwide investments that improve access to care and strengthen the long-term stability of the state’s health care system.

Applications Open for RHTP Year 2 Fall Funding Cycle The RHTP Year 2 Fall 2026 funding cycle application opens on September 30, 2026. Applications for planning and implementation projects will be accepted through October 28, 2026, at 11:59pm Alaska time. Information about the fall 2026 funding cycle , including application materials, updated applicant guidance, and other resources, is available.

Year 2 Application Walkthrough DOH and Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) hosted an in-depth walkthrough of the Year 2 fall cycle application portal. Attendees can expect to learn more about the content and structure of the updated application portal and ask questions about the application process.

Watch the recording of the application walkthrough A webinar was hosted to serve as a resource for prospective applicants in the Year 2 funding cycle. DOH leadership provided a recap of the September 23 applicant convening; shared growth opportunities from the Year 1 cycle and how to strengthen proposals for future rounds; and answered applicant questions.

Watch the recording of the applicant support webinar RHTP Funding Cycle Updates: Reflections and Next Steps On September 11, DOH hosted a public webinar that focused on reflections from the Year 1 funding cycle and provide a high-level overview of the approach for the upcoming Year 2 funding cycle.

Watch the recording of the RHTP Funding Cycle Updates meeting RHTP Year 1 funding announcements The Department of Health has released its funding decisions for projects funded by the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The projects selected for funding represent a wide variety of organizations from across the state.

All of them are aligned with the state’s goals to expand access to care, strengthen the health workforce, improve infrastructure, advance technology, and support innovative approaches to improving health outcomes for rural Alaskans. Year 1 Funding Announcements Year 1 funding cycle update Please note that subaward budget finalization is still in progress.

The data presented reflects projected award amounts, and minor adjustments to award amounts may occur as the process is completed.

​ Download the Alaska RHTP Year 1 Funding Cycle Update Transforming rural health care across Alaska The Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a multi-year investment designed to improve health outcomes and strengthen the long-term sustainability of Alaska's rural health system across each of Alaska’s 30 boroughs and census areas. ​ Project awards are being announced on a rolling weekly basis.

Where Year 1 funding is being invested Through six interconnected initiatives, RHTP supports projects that expand access to care, strengthen the health care workforce, improve financial sustainability, modernize technology and infrastructure, improve maternal and child health, and support healthier communities.

About the Rural Health Transformation Program Application next steps and timeline DOH opened a registration and Letter of Interest portal on February 17, 2026 for this first round of RHTP funding that closed on March 11, 2026. Resources for RHTP Applicants There will be additional opportunities for applications in each funding year.

Community-led RHTP regional planning meetings To foster collaboration and measure progress across Alaska’s health care landscape, the Alaska Department of Health will be partnering with leaders across the state to host regional RHTP meetings. These in-person meetings intend to bring communities together to collectively discuss regional gaps and priorities across the six Alaska RHTP initiatives.

DOH will utilize these meeting discussions to identify regional milestones and metrics to monitor progress in the state’s healthcare landscape for the duration of the RHTP five-year period. DOH will announce updates here as they become available. Questions can be directed to rhtp@alaska.

gov . Celebrate program successes Facilitate partnerships and collaboration across 2026 RHTP Convening Resources Rural Health Transformation Program frequently asked questions What is the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP)?

The RHTP is a new federal program created by Congress in 2025 to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem. Through innovative system-wide change, the RHTP invests in the rural healthcare delivery ecosystem for future generation. How is Alaska implementing the RHTP?

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) provides a national framework for the RHTP, but each state is responsible for developing its own transformation plan. In Alaska, the RHTP is particularly important due to the state’s vast geography, remote and frontier communities, workforce shortages, and high cost of care delivery.

The program provides a time-limited opportunity to strengthen local health systems, expand access to care close to home, and invest in solutions designed for Alaska’s unique rural and remote context. What are Alaska’s RHTP goals?

The RHTP is intended to make health care work better for all Alaskans by improving access and prevention, expanding workforce, leveraging technology, and creating long-lasting changes that help people stay healthy.

Specific goals are detailed further in Alaska’s Project Narrative , and include: Promote lifelong health and wellbeing for rural, remote, and frontier Alaskans Build sustainable, outcomes-driven health systems Drive workforce and technology innovation. What is Alaska’s RHTP Project Narrative, and how should it be used? Alaska’s RHTP Project Narrative explains the State’s plan for improving rural health care.

It describes the goals, initiatives, and types of projects RHTP funding is meant to support. All RHTP-funded projects must align with this plan. RHTP is a cooperative agreement with CMS, which means the Department of Health (DOH) works closely with CMS and CMS must approve how funds are used.

As the program moves forward, CMS may continue to review and clarify allowable activities and Alaska may make updates to its Project Narrative accordingly. Applicants should use the Project Narrative as a guide when developing project ideas. How much RHTP funding did CMS award Alaska in the first program year?

Alaska is among the top recipients nationwide. Alaska’s year one award was $272,174,855. 72 to support targeted, system-level investments aimed at improving access to care while reinforcing the long-term stability of Alaska’s health care infrastructure.

How long does Alaska have to use its first-year RHTP funds? Alaska’s first RHTP budget period runs from December 29, 2025 through October 30, 2026. First year award funds must be obligated by the end of the budget period, but Alaska can finish spending those funds through the following federal fiscal year.

This means that all first-year funds are required to be fully spent by September 30, 2027. Any funds not expended by that date are subject to federal recapture and redistribution under the RHTP rules. How will the Rural Health Transformation Program be administered?

The Alaska DOH is the lead agency for Alaska’s RHTP. DOH administers the program through a cooperative agreement with CMS, which provides federal oversight and approval of allowable uses of funds. DOH is responsible for setting program priorities, establishing application and evaluation processes, making funding recommendations, and ensuring compliance with federal requirements.

Final funding decisions are made by the DOH Commissioner and are subject to CMS review and approval. To support implementation and efficiently distribute funds to community-based organizations, DOH has contracted with the Alaska Community Foundation to manage the administrative subrecipient application process, administer subawards to approved projects, and assists subrecipients with administrative requirements under DOH’s direction.

Is Alaska’s RHTP Project Narrative final? Alaska’s RHTP Project Narrative has been accepted by CMS and serves as the approved framework for implementation. Because RHTP is administered through a cooperative agreement, project design and implementation details will continue to evolve over time in collaboration with CMS.

How will the program be administered? DOH is the lead agency for Alaska’s RHTP. DOH will work with federal partners at CMS to set program priorities, approve awards, and ensure federal compliance.

DOH will establish a statewide Subrecipient Administrator to help run the application process within the state, provide technical help to applicants, process awards, and support reporting and compliance. All funding decisions will be made by the DOH Commissioner with support from the RHTP Advisory Council. What is the Alaska Community Foundation’s role?

The Alaska Community Foundation (ACF) is an Alaska-based philanthropic organization with deep roots and connections across the state. DOH has contracted with ACF to support implementation of RHTP in Alaska by managing the subaward process on behalf of DOH.

This includes administering the application portal, assisting organizations as they apply, issuing and managing subawards for approved projects, processing payments, and supporting required reporting and compliance activities. ACF does not make final funding decisions. All award decisions, program priorities, and oversight responsibilities remain with DOH and are subject to federal requirements and CMS approval.

How will Alaska’s future RHTP award amounts be determined? RHTP funding is provided to states in annual awards. Each year CMS reviews Alaska’s progress in implementing the program, including whether projects are moving forward on schedule, funds are being used as approved, and the state is making progress on the goals and commitments described in its RHTP plan.

This annual review helps inform the amount of funding Alaska may receive in future years, consistent with federal program requirements and available appropriations. For federal updates, monitor the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program website .

Additional FAQs for applicants are available: Press Release: August 7, 2026, Alaska Department of Health Announces First Group of Rural Health Transformation Program Awards OpEd: June 25, 2026, Why Does RHTP Matter For Alaska Press Release: February 18, 2026, Letter of Interest Portal Opens for Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program Press Release: January 9, 2026, DOH To Host Rural Health Transformation Convening Press Release: December 29, 2025, Alaska Awarded Major Federal Funding To Permanently Transform Rural Health Care September 23, 2026: RHTP Applicant Convening September 11, 2026: RHTP Funding Cycle Updates meeting August 17, 2026: Advisory Council meeting August 7, 2026: RHTP Year 1 Awards notifications begin July 1, 2026: Advisory Council meeting April 22, 2026: Advisory Council meeting March 23, 2026: RHTP Impacts webinar series begins March 20, 2026: Advisory Council meeting March 11, 2026: Letter of Interest registration closes March 3, 2026: Applicant Office Hours webinar February 24, 2026: Applicant Office Hours webinar February 17, 2026: Applicant Office Hours webinar February 17, 2026: Letter of Interest registration opens February 10, 2026: RHTP Funding Application Process webinar January 14-16, 2026: Alaska RHTP Convening (virtual and in-person events) December 31, 2025: CMS award decisions due November – December 2025: CMS reviews state RHTP applications November 5, 2025: State applications are due to CMS September 16, 2025: CMS released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) This project 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 $272,174,855.

72 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 an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government. Rural Health Transformation Program