The notice for the “Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program” (HRSA-10-020) was posted on July 20th. The purpose for the Network Planning Grant program is to bring together key parts of the rural healthcare delivery system to work together.
The funding goal is to establish or improve the local coordination of care. The grant program funds one year of planning activities to help rural communities provide for an integrated healthcare network if the participants in the network are not already collaborating.
There is considerable evidence that rural healthcare providers benefit greatly from developing networks. The realities of rural healthcare delivery create an environment where rural providers need to be able to build a more sustainable infrastructure by joining together in formal arrangements. However, identifying and exploring these kinds of partnerships can be a challenge.
The lead applicant organization must be a rural, non-profit, or public entity that represents a consortium/network of three or more health related entities that need assistance to plan, organize, and develop a healthcare network. For profit organizations are not eligible to be the lead applicant but can participate in the network. Faith-based and community-based organizations as well as tribal organizations are also eligible to apply for the funds.
The grant will be funded with FY 2010 appropriations depending on the funds available. The amount of the funding is anticipated to be $1,700,000 with 20 awards. The estimated average size of the awards is $85,000. The application deadline is September 14th
For more information, go to www.grants.gov or contact Eileen Holloran, Program Coordinator, Office of Rural Health Policy at eholloran@hrsa.gov or (301) 443-7529.
