$500 Million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Funding Available through American Rescue Plan

$500 Million in Emergency Rural Health Care Grant Funding Available through American Rescue Plan

USDA is providing up to $500 million in grant funding for eligible applicants and eligible facilities to help broaden access to COVID-19 testing and vaccines, health care services, telehealth services, food assistance through food banks and food distribution facilities, and collaborative, evidence-based support for the long-term sustainability of rural health care.

USDA will make this $500 million in grant funding available to be distributed between two tracks of funding to eligible applicants:

Track One: Provides immediate relief to address the economic conditions arising from the COVID-19 emergency. Grant funds must be used in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and to support immediate health care needs, to help prepare for a future pandemic event, or to increase access to quality health care services and improve community health outcomes. Grant awards range from $25,000 - $1 million.

Track Two: Impact Grants advance ideas and solutions to solve regional rural health care problems to support the long-term sustainability of rural health care. Long-term sustainability is defined as “improved health outcomes, improved access to quality health care, and creating and maintaining sustainable economic development for small communities.” Grant funds must be used in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grant awards range from $5 million - $10 million.

To learn more about the Community Facilities emergency pilot program and the American Rescue Plan, visit our website.