Rural Health Transformation Program Grant Opportunities
Expanding School Health Centers to Rural Areas Funding Opportunity
The North Carolina School Health Centers (SHC) Program is administered through the School, Adolescent and Child Health Unit, Whole Child Health Section of the NCDHHS Division of Child and Family Well-Being. School Health Centers provide access to comprehensive, coordinated and preventive health care either through direct services and programs and/or through referrals to other primary care providers including medical homes, medical specialists, mental and behavioral health agencies, nutritionists and other community services and programs.
Through the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program (NCRHTP), the goal is to increase access to integrated physical and behavioral health care for youth through the expansion of school-based health centers (SBHCs) in rural areas. Up to $1,250,000 will be awarded for up to five sites.
Eligibility
Entities currently contracted or under a grant agreement with Division of Child and Family Well-Being providing a School Health Center Program are eligible to apply for these funds and have been notified of this funding opportunity.
Proposed School Health Center locations need to be in areas with limited access to local behavioral and/or physical health providers and/or challenges that prevent students from accessing local providers such as transportation.
Awards will prioritize expansion to schools that are in rural census tracts as defined by the HRSA rural health grants analyzer.
How to Apply
Eligible entities have been notified by the Division of Child and Family Well-Being to apply and submit questions July 29, 2026, and completed applications by 5 p.m. on Aug. 12, 2026.
Past Funding Opportunities
The NCDHHS Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities is seeking applications to expand the NC Minority Diabetes Prevention Program into a nine-county region in eastern North Carolina. As part of the NC Rural Health Transformation Program, this funding opportunity supports education, training and evidence-based interventions that promote lifestyle changes and reduce the risk of diabetes, particularly for disproportionately impacted communities.
How to Apply
Completed applications must be submitted via email to OMHHD@dhhs.nc.gov by 5 pm EST on July 17, 2026. Interested organizations are encouraged to view the North Carolina Minority Diabetes Prevention Program website. For application questions, please email OMHHD@dhhs.nc.gov no later than June 29, 2026, with “NC MDPP RFA Region 8” in the subject line.
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The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services is seeking applications from EMS organizations to expand Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) and Community Paramedicine (CP) programs in rural communities across North Carolina. As part of the Rural Health Transformation Program, this funding opportunity supports a five-year initiative to strengthen behavioral health crisis response, improve treatment access for individuals experiencing substance use disorder (SUD), and reduce emergency department utilization associated with mental health crises and opioid overdoses.
How to Apply
Completed applications must be submitted via the online ReadyOp application no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 20, 2026. Interested organizations are encouraged to view the Applicant Webinar and
Documents
NCDHHS is seeking qualified organizations to serve as designated ROOTS Hub Leads for the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program (NCRHTP). This opportunity is designed to support NCDHHS’ efforts to transform rural health care delivery, strengthen local systems, and improve health outcomes for nearly 3 million rural North Carolinians. The application period ended April 2, 2026.
Public Notice: NCDHHS Requests Applicants for NC Rural Health Transformation ROOTS Hub Leads
About the NC ROOTS Hubs
NC ROOTS (Rural Organizations Orchestrating Transformation for Sustainability) Hubs are regional, locally governed networks that coordinate services and lead implementation of NCRHTP initiatives. Working with community partners, each Hub will help advance efforts across primary care, behavioral health, workforce development, value-based payment, and digital health—tailoring strategies to the unique needs of their region.
Eligibility and Scope
Up to six organizations will be selected, one for each North Carolina Medicaid region. Applicants must demonstrate the infrastructure, knowledge, experience and capacity to serve as both the programmatic and fiduciary lead for their region, guiding a partner network to successfully implement NCRHTP initiatives. The ROOTS Hub Leads RFA webinar provides an overview and context for the NC ROOTS Hubs' core functions.
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Program Background
RHTP was established under H.R. 1, a federal reconciliation bill enacted in July. The program provides one-time federal funding to support states in strengthening rural health care access, quality, and outcomes. Through RHTP, NCDHHS is investing in innovation, infrastructure, partnerships, and workforce development to help transform rural health care delivery systems.
For more information about the program, visit the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program webpage.
Stevens Amendment Disclosure: $213,008,356.47 or 100% of the total costs of the North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program in budget period 1 are funded with Federal funds, including awards anticipated under this RFA; $0 or 0% of the total cost of this program is funded by non-governmental sources. This disclosure is provided in accordance with the Stevens Amendment (Section 505, Division H of Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, Public Law 116-260).