Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program notice
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This notice launches a new $25 million grant payment program for small rural hospitals in fiscal year 2026. HRSA says eligible hospitals must have 50 or fewer inpatient beds, a wage index below 0.90, and be located in a HRSA-designated rural area. Hospitals must apply through Grants.gov by July 1, 2026, and should register early in SAM.gov and Grants.gov because setup can take weeks. The money will be split equally among eligible hospitals that apply, with up to 10% allowed for administrative costs. HRSA’s preliminary review found 167 hospitals in 13 states that may qualify, but only hospitals that submit applications will receive payment.
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Key Changes
- Creates a new FY 2026 grant payment program for eligible rural hospitals
- Sets eligibility at 50 or fewer inpatient beds, wage index below 0.90, and HRSA rural location
- Requires applications through Grants.gov by July 1, 2026, with funds split equally among applicants
Obligations
What this law requires
Eligible rural hospitals must submit a completed application through Grants.gov in order to receive payment under the FY 2026 Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program.
Eligible rural hospitals that believe they meet the program criteria must submit a completed application through Grants.gov to receive payment under the Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program; hospitals that do not apply will not receive funds.
Hospitals seeking payment must ensure they meet the program eligibility criteria: no more than 50 inpatient beds, a wage index of less than 0.90, and location in a HRSA-designated rural area.
Applicants must submit completed applications electronically through www.grants.gov rather than by other means.
Hospitals seeking to qualify for payment must have no more than 50 inpatient beds.