Opportunity Information: Apply for HRSA 26 105
The Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program is a federal grant opportunity from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) designed to help small rural hospitals stay open and keep essential services running. The program focuses on hospitals that face built-in payment disadvantages under Medicare, particularly those tied to lower wage index values, which can make it harder to recruit and retain health care staff. By providing direct financial assistance, the program aims to support the continued maintenance of health care providers in these facilities, preserve access to care for rural communities, and reduce the risk of avoidable hospital closures.
Eligibility is narrowly targeted to a specific set of rural hospitals. To apply, a hospital must have no more than 50 acute care inpatient beds, must be located in a rural area as defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, and must have an established Medicare wage index value below 0.90. The wage index threshold is based on the value determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(3)(E)). HRSA also points applicants to a Federal Register Notice that was published before the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), which explains the methodology and data sources HRSA used to determine which hospitals meet the wage index and related eligibility criteria. That notice is available here: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/04/29/2026-08300/rural-hospital-provider-assistance-program.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, this opportunity is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the health category, listed under CFDA number 93.811. The opportunity number is HRSA-26-105. HRSA expects to make about 167 awards, with a maximum (award ceiling) of $148,000 per award. The original application closing date is July 27, 2026. Overall, the program is set up as a targeted stabilization tool for smaller rural hospitals that are especially vulnerable to workforce and financial strain because Medicare payments in their areas do not fully reflect the costs of maintaining a clinical workforce.Apply for HRSA 26 105
- The Health Resources and Services Administration in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.811.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-11.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $148,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 167 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program (HRSA-26-105) FAQs
1) What is the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program?
The Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program is a federal grant opportunity from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It is designed to help small rural hospitals stay open and keep essential services running by providing direct financial assistance.
2) What problem is this program trying to address?
The program targets hospitals that face built-in Medicare payment disadvantages associated with lower Medicare wage index values. These lower wage index values can make it harder for rural hospitals to recruit and retain health care staff, increasing financial strain and the risk of avoidable hospital closures.
3) What are the main goals of the grant?
Based on the opportunity description, the program aims to:
- Support the continued maintenance of health care providers in eligible rural facilities
- Preserve access to care for rural communities
- Reduce the risk of avoidable rural hospital closures
- Help stabilize essential hospital services in vulnerable rural areas
4) Who is the intended target of this funding?
Eligibility is narrowly targeted to a specific set of small rural hospitals, particularly those that are disadvantaged under Medicare due to low wage index values.
5) What types of hospitals are eligible to apply?
To apply, a hospital must meet all of the following criteria:
- Have no more than 50 acute care inpatient beds
- Be located in a rural area as defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
- Have an established Medicare wage index value below 0.90
6) Is the bed limit based on total beds or a specific bed category?
The eligibility criterion provided is "no more than 50 acute care inpatient beds." The information provided does not describe any other bed categories or alternative counting methods beyond that phrase.
7) How is "rural area" defined for this opportunity?
The hospital must be located in a rural area as defined by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. The opportunity summary does not provide additional detail beyond referencing that definition source.
8) What is the Medicare wage index threshold for eligibility?
The hospital must have an established Medicare wage index value below 0.90 to be eligible.
9) Where does the wage index requirement come from?
The wage index threshold is based on the value determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 1886(d)(3)(E) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(3)(E)).
10) How does HRSA determine which hospitals meet the wage index and related eligibility criteria?
HRSA points applicants to a Federal Register Notice published prior to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). That Federal Register Notice explains the methodology and data sources HRSA used to determine which hospitals meet the wage index and related eligibility criteria.
11) Where can I find the Federal Register Notice HRSA references?
The Federal Register Notice is available at:
12) What federal agency is offering this grant?
The grant opportunity is offered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
13) What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number is HRSA-26-105.
14) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The program is listed under CFDA number 93.811.
15) What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant).
16) What category is this opportunity listed under?
The opportunity is in the health category.
17) How many awards does HRSA expect to make?
HRSA expects to make about 167 awards.
18) What is the maximum award amount?
The maximum (award ceiling) is $148,000 per award.
19) Is the award amount guaranteed for every applicant?
The information provided states a maximum (award ceiling) of $148,000 per award. It does not state that every award will be made at the maximum amount.
20) What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is July 27, 2026.
21) Is this program meant to support workforce stability?
Yes. The description emphasizes that low wage index values can make it harder to recruit and retain staff, and the program aims to support the continued maintenance of health care providers in eligible facilities.
22) What broader community impact is HRSA aiming for with this funding?
The program is intended to preserve access to care for rural communities and reduce the risk of avoidable hospital closures by stabilizing smaller rural hospitals that are vulnerable to workforce and financial strain.
23) Why does Medicare wage index matter for rural hospitals in this program?
The program focuses on hospitals that face Medicare payment disadvantages tied to lower wage index values. As described, these lower values may mean Medicare payments in those areas do not fully reflect the costs of maintaining a clinical workforce, which can contribute to financial and staffing challenges.
24) Is this opportunity described as a targeted stabilization tool?
Yes. The program is described as a targeted stabilization tool for smaller rural hospitals that are especially vulnerable due to workforce and financial strain linked to Medicare wage index-related payment disadvantages.
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