HRSA released a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the “Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program (Network Planning Grant). These grants promote the development and implementation of integrated healthcare networks by supporting one year of planning. The amount of $1,150, 000 with 15 awards is expected to be funded.
HRSA’s program supports collaborative partnerships that will create strong networks to help strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in communities. For example, a Critical Access Hospital, a Community Health Center, and a social services organization could work together around a shared purpose.
The healthcare needs within the communities could be assessed, sharing clinical or administrative resources would be possible, and local patients could have access to a full continuum of care locally. Grant funding can be used to do community health and/or provider needs assessments, develop business operations, develop strategic plans, and invest more in health IT.
Eligible applicants can include state, county, city or township, special district, and Native American tribal governments. Also non-profits other than institutions of higher education are also eligible to apply. The lead applicant organization must be a rural, non-profit or public entity representing a consortium network of three or more healthcare providers to plan, organize and develop a network. For-profit or urban-based organizations are not eligible to be the lead applicant but can participate in the network.
The FOA (HRSA-12-084) was released August 31st with the application due October 31, 2011. For more information go to www.grants.gov or email Eileen Holloran at eholloran@hrsa.gov or call (301)-443-7529.
