Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Letter of Interest is sponsored by Alaska Department of Health (CMS federal funding). A major federal health systems transformation grant via CMS to improve rural health care access; Alaska DOH will open a letter‑of‑intent portal first in 2026.

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1 - Impacts to Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program Heating Assistance Program Child Health & Development Division of Public Assistance (DPA) Services Substance Use & Treatment Vital Records & Certificates For Providers & Professionals For Providers & Clinicians For Health Care Facilities Centralized Reporting: Submit A Critical Incident Report Medicaid Provider Assistance VacTrAK Immunization Information System Alaska State Public Health Laboratories (ASPHL) How to become a Licensed Child Care Provider Office of the Commissioner Finance and Management Services Senior and Disabilities Services Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ABADA) Alaska Commission on Aging Alaska Mental Health Board Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education Statewide Suicide Prevention Council Rural Health Transformation Program Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Federal grant opportunity created by H.

R. 1 to fund rural health transformation projects 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) has 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 each year to support targeted, systemwide investments that improve access to care and strengthen the long-term stability of the state’s health care system.

Public Comment Opportunity: RHTP Evaluation Frameworks (Comments Due March 12, 2026) The Alaska Department of Health has released draft RHTP Project Evaluation and Portfolio Analysis Review Frameworks for public comment. When finalized, these tools will be used to review individual project applications and collectively assess projects proposed for funding.

The public notice and draft materials are available on the Alaska Online Public Notice (OPN) system. Comments must be received by 5:00 pm Alaska Time on March 12, 2026. View the public notice and submit comments on OPN RHTP Advisory Council Information Now Available The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Advisory Council is now available on this page.

The Advisory Council will provide structured, stakeholder-informed guidance to the Alaska Department of Health as the RHTP is implemented. Details on the Council’s purpose, structure, and role are posted below. RHTP Funding Opportunity: Letter of Interest Portal Open The first Letter of Interest (LOI) registration period for Alaska’s Rural Health Transformation Program opened on February 17, 2026.

It is scheduled to close on March 11, 2026. Community organizations may submit an LOI through the Alaska Community Foundation’s online portal.

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 Funding Opportunities & Applicant Information Center This section provides information for organizations interested in applying for funding through Alaska’s Rural Health Transformation Program.

Additional resources and updates to materials will be posted as available. The Department of Health is partnering with the Alaska Community Foundation to administer subrecipient application and award processes for community-based organizations and entities.

To support organizations at different stages of readiness, Alaska’s RHTP includes multiple funding pathways for community-based entities, including Administrative Readiness, Planning, Project Implementation, and Targeted Innovation. All applicants begin with the same Letter of Interest (LOI) and registration process; organizations do not need to select a pathway at the LOI stage.

The LOI process will be offered multiple times over the life of the RHTP. Organizations and entities will have additional opportunities to submit LOIs in future funding rounds. Letter of Interest Portal Organizations interested in applying for Alaska RHTP funding must begin by registering and submitting a Letter of Interest.

The LOI portal opened on February 17, 2026, and is planned to close on March 11, 2026. Submit an LOI through the Alaska Community Foundation portal The LOI helps the Department understand project ideas, organizational readiness, and which funding pathway may be the best fit. All applicants use the same LOI portal, regardless of the type of funding they are seeking.

Alaska’s Statewide RHTP Application and Proposed Initiatives Alaska’s statewide application outlines the goals, initiatives, and priorities that guide how RHTP funding will be used in Alaska. All RHTP projects must align with and advance these initiatives and receive prior approval from CMS.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review this section before submitting a Letter of Interest, as proposals should clearly describe how they align with Alaska’s RHTP goals and initiatives. Jump to Alaska’s proposed initiatives and statewide application below Frequently Asked Questions Answers to common questions about Alaska’s RHTP.

The Department of Health is developing an Alaska-specific application guide to help community organizations understand the RHTP opportunity, funding pathways, and key requirements. This guide is intended to support prospective applicants and will be updated as additional federal guidance becomes available.

RHTP Applicant Resource Guide Alaska Community Foundation, in conjunction with the Department of Health, will provide technical assistance related to registration and entering information into the RHTP Letter of Interest portal.

RHTP Office Hours webinars will be hosted noon-1 on February 17th, February 24th, and March 3rd: Register for an RHTP Applicant Office Hours webinar How to Find or Register for a Unique Entity ID (UEI) All applicants will need to include a Unique Entity ID (UEI) to apply for funding. A UEI is a federal identifier which allows you to bid on government contracts and apply for federal assistance.

Learn how to find out whether your organization has a UEI: Check the Federal Service Desk for an existing Unique Entity ID Register your organization with Sam. gov and receive a UEI number: Register for a Unique Entity ID The video provides a walkthrough of the UEI process. Application Next Steps and Timeline DOH opened a registration and Letter of Interest portal on February 17, 2026.

This portal is scheduled to close on March 11, 2026: Funding awards are expected to begin in Spring 2026. There will be additional opportunities for applications in each funding year.

Community-led Regional Planning Workshops During Spring/Summer 2026: Develop community plans to coordinate RHTP-funded projects and maximize impact of funds Share updates on program timelines, funding, and policies Clarify expectations and requirements Answer stakeholder questions Celebrate program successes Facilitate partnerships and collaboration across 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 improve rural health care across all fifty states. It provides $50 billion over five years for states to support better access to care, stronger health systems, and healthier communities. Half of the funds are split evenly across all approved states, and the other half is distributed based on how rural the state is and the quality of the state’s RHTP application.

Alaska is among the top recipients nationwide, reflecting the state’s significant rural population, geographic challenges, and long-standing health care access needs. In each year of the program, Al aska will receive $272,174,856 to support targeted, system-level investments aimed at improving access to care while reinforcing the long-term stability of Alaska’s health care infrastructure. What is the goal of RHTP?

The goal of RHTP is to help 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.

The program encourages innovation, strengthens local, regional and statewide partnerships, supports a robust hub-and-spoke health care delivery model, and builds a more sustainable and connected statewide health system that serves all Alaskans. Who was the subrecipient administrator contract awarded to?

The Alaska Department of Health has awarded the subrecipient administrator contract for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) to the Alaska Community Foundation (ACF). ACF is an Alaska-based philanthropic organization with deep roots and connections across the state.

As the subrecipient administrator, ACF will manage the project application process, support organizations as they apply, distribute funds to approved projects, and provide ongoing administrative support and reporting assistance over the life of the program. Can RHTP funds support projects anywhere in Alaska? Can organizations in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and other hub communities apply?

Yes! Organizations anywhere in Alaska will be able to apply. Although the program is designed to improve health in rural, remote, and frontier regions, Alaska’s health system is deeply interconnected.

Many rural residents receive care in regional hubs and larger communities. Projects based in urban areas can improve rural health outcomes. If a project supports the RHTP goals, strengthens the health care system, or supports the health of rural Alaskans in any way, it may be eligible for funding.

Who can apply for RHTP funding?

Many types of organizations will be eligible for RHTP funding, including but not limited to: Tribes and Tribal Health Organizations Behavioral health and substance use treatment organizations Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and emergency care entities Social service organizations Health workforce and training programs Technology and innovation partners Schools, universities, vocational and other education partners Child care providers and early childhood development programs Provider and trade associations Other nonprofits or community-based organizations working on health or community well-being What can RHTP funds be used for?

RHTP funds will support a wide range of innovative projects that fit within Alaska’s six initiatives, which can be found in the RHTP Project Narrative .

Examples include: Expanding access to primary, maternal, behavioral, specialty, or oral health care Training, recruiting, or retaining health workers Upgrading clinics, EMS resources, or health care settings Strengthening value-based care and innovative payment models Launching new mobile or itinerant services Investing in telehealth, interoperability, and digital health tools Community wellness programs and prevention partnerships Technology that improves coordination, safety, or data sharing RHTP funds may support costs associated with project planning, capacity-building activities, and project start-up, but cannot be used for ongoing program support or operating expenses.

Each project will need to attest to a sustainability plan beyond the five-year span of RHTP funding. What can RHTP funds not be used for?

Federal rules do not allow funds to be used for certain expenses, including but not limited to: Services already covered by Medicaid, Medicare, or other payers The non-federal share (state match) of Medicaid services New direct student loans, or repaying existing student loans Major construction projects Duplicating/replacing funding for existing programs Activities already paid for by another federal grant Activities not aligned with Alaska’s RHTP initiatives When it is time for organizations in Alaska to apply, applicants will need to show how their project aligns with RHTP program goals, and explain how their project does not duplicate other funding.

More information about allowable and unallowable uses of funds will be shared when CMS awards RHTP grants to states in late 2025. Is Alaska’s RHTP Project Narrative final? No, Department of Health (DOH) submitted Alaska’s RHTP application on November 4, 2025 and it is currently under federal review.

The RHTP is a cooperative agreement, and CMS may work with DOH to adjust the RHTP goals, initiatives, and potential uses of funding that are outlined in the application posted above. 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.

When can organizations apply? Alaska will open its first application cycle in 2026 after federal awards are announced.

DOH encourages organizations to prepare now by: Reviewing Alaska’s RHTP Project Narrative Thinking about projects to propose, including timeframes for projects and plans to sustain projects after RHTP funding ends Identifying any partners for your project(s) Coordinating with other entities in your region Signing up for RHTP updates Gathering basic financial and program documentation More details, timelines, and instructions will be posted on this website as soon as they become available.

How will applications be reviewed? Will the criteria be public? Yes.

DOH is committed to a transparent, fair, and consistent review process. Every application will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness, then scored by Alaska’s RHTP Advisory Council. DOH will post the full scoring rubric and review criteria online so applicants know exactly what reviewers are looking for.

Final funding award decisions will be made by the DOH Commissioner. For federal updates, monitor the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program website .

Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program Convening The Alaska Department of Health convened a statewide kickoff webinar and in-person meeting to formally launch implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and to share early direction on how the program will be structured, governed, and rolled out over the coming years.

Part of the ongoing engagement process, health care providers, Tribal health organizations, community-based organizations, local governments, and other partners across Alaska came together to learn about next steps.

Department leadership emphasized that this kickoff event was intended as a high-level introduction and that additional details, guidance, and opportunities for engagement will be provided through future webinars, written guidance, and in-person convenings. Participants were encouraged to view the RHTP as a long-term, system-level investment rather than a one-time grant opportunity.

Recording of virtual meeting Slide deck for virtual meeting Recording of media availability Day 2 in-person meeting recap Transforming EMS in Alaska (February 5, 2026) Slide deck for EMS webinar RHTP Funding Application Process (February 10, 2026) RHTP Funding Application Process recap Recording of Funding Application Process webinar Q&A from Funding Application Process webinar Slide deck for Funding Application Process webinar Applicant Office Hours (February 17, 2026) Applicant Office Hours recap Recording of Applicant Office Hours webinar Applicant Office Hours (February 24, 2026) Recording of Applicant Office Hours webinar Alaska's Statewide RHTP Application and Proposed Initiatives As part of its application, Alaska proposed six statewide initiatives that reflect ideas and feedback from hundreds of organizations and community partners.

These initiatives outline how Alaska could use RHTP funds to improve access to care, strengthen the workforce, support healthier communities, and transform Alaska’s health care delivery systems.

The six proposed initiatives are: Healthy Beginnings: Investing in maternal and child health to help Alaskan families start strong Health Care Access: Expanding and maintaining access to essential health services in rural, remote, and frontier communities Healthy Communities: Promoting healthy lifestyles and investing in preventive care Pay for Value: Fiscal Sustainability: Pursuing innovative payment models to build a stronger, more sustainable health care system Strengthen Workforce: Growing and supporting skilled, resilient health care teams across Alaska Spark Technology & Innovation: Updating technology and infrastructure to improve care and drive innovation You can view the program summary and proposed initiatives document here: Alaska RHTP Project Narrative and Supporting Documents Alaska’s Proposed Initiatives and Potential Uses of Funds (Note: Materials will be updated following completion of CMS review of Alaska’s revised Project Narrative submission.)

Alaska’s Collaborative Approach To prepare Alaska’s RHTP application, DOH gathered input from across the state through a Request for Information (RFI) issued in summer 2025. The Department received responses from 160 outside groups, including over 400 project ideas and suggestions. 77% of respondents are either located in Alaska or have worked here before.

36% of respondents were health care providers (including Tribal health providers). Other respondents included health technology companies (15%), health consulting firms (15%), and patient advocates (11%). Fewer responses came from community organizations, trade groups, schools, government agencies, and public officials.

(Note: Responses from DOH teams and advisory boards were collected separately.) Ideas from these responses helped shape the six initiatives included in Alaska’s final RHTP application.

You can read the RFI Response Detailed Summary here: RFI Response Detailed Summary - September 19, 2025 Previous drafts of the preliminary RHTP initiatives September 16, 2025: CMS released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) November 5, 2025: State applications are due to CMS November – December 2025: CMS reviews state RHTP applications December 31, 2025: CMS award decisions due January 14-16, 2026: Alaska RHTP Convening (virtual and in-person events) February 10, 2026: RHTP Funding Application Process webinar February 17, 2026: Letter of Interest registration opens February 17, 2026: Applicant Office Hours webinar February 24, 2026: Applicant Office Hours webinar March 3, 2026: Applicant Office Hours webinar March 11, 2026: Letter of Interest registration closes Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council The Alaska Rural Health Transformation Program Advisory Council was established by the Alaska Department of Health to deliver structured, informed guidance to the Commissioner on the design, oversight, and ongoing improvement of the Rural Health Transformation Program.

The Council provides recommendations to support alignment with federal goals, statewide health system goals, and rural and tribal health priorities. The Advisory Council offers informed input but does not make funding or policy decisions.

Authority for all RHTP decisions rests with the Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health, consistent with federal requirements and Alaska’s cooperative agreement with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Advisory Council includes: A Steering Committee, which advises the Commissioner on overall RHTP strategy and implementation; and A Stakeholder Committee, which brings broader community, provider, and system perspectives to inform Steering Committee discussions. The Department of Health may also convene time-limited workgroups as needed.

Additional information will be added to this page as available, including details on how to nominate or apply for the Stakeholder Committee. For full details on the Advisory Council’s purpose, structure, roles, and responsibilities, please review the RHTP Advisory Council Charter: RHTP Advisory Council Charter Advisory Council meeting notices, attendance links, materials, and summaries will be posted publicly when available.

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, pending approval of revised budget, 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 State of Alaska | Department of Health Department contact information 350 Main Street, Suite 404 (Xaat Kíl) Hello, how are you?