Rural Health Transformation Program

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is a federal initiative administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to strengthen, innovate, and stabilize healthcare transformation efforts in rural communities. Because the program continues to evolve and includes both state and federal components, hospitals and health systems may have questions about available opportunities, eligibility, timelines, and how the program could affect their organizations.

THA has created this page as a central resource for members to find key materials, information from webinars, and important upcoming dates.

Grant Timeline

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) released its first RHTP funding opportunity on May 15. This begins a roll-out of competitive grant programs, with additional opportunities released every Friday through July 10. Applicants will only have 30 days from the release date to submit completed applications. 

RHTP Grant Application Portal

Partner Portal Quick Guide

RFA release and deadline schedule: 

Perinatal and Pediatric Behavioral Health Teleconsultation and Education

     May 15 to June 15, 2026 

Healthy Active Rural Tennessee (HART) 

     May 22 to June 22, 2026 

Healthcare Resiliency Program (HRP): Maternal Child Health 

     May 29 to June 29, 2026 

Chronic Disease Prevention 

     June 5 to July 6, 2026 

 

 

HRP: Service Line and Co-Location 

    June 12 to July 13, 2026 

Memory Care Assessment Network (MCAN) 

     June 19 to July 20, 2026

Health Tech Innovation 

     June 26 to July 27, 2026 

HRP: Make Rural Tennessee Healthy Again (MaRTHA) 

     July 3 to Aug. 3, 2026 

County Health Council CARE Grants 

     July 10 to Aug. 10, 2026 

During the application period, please direct questions specific to competitive opportunities to Competitive.Health@TN.gov.  

 

Potential RHTP applicants are encouraged to sign up to receive email notifications to be informed when TDH announces new project funding and grant opportunities. 

Application required items: 

  • Project Summary 
  • Project Narrative 
    • Community need and target rural population 
    • Proposed project goals and strategies, workplan, and description of how the project is aligned with TN priorities 
    • Proposed plan for engaging communities, cross-sector partners, and local health departments and health councils 
  • Evaluation Plan 
  • Sustainability Plan 
  • Budget Narrative

State officials have stressed that the strongest applications will demonstrate: 

  • Fidelity to the goals and outcomes stated in Tennessee’s RHT Program 
  • How rural populations are served, including those who are low-income or under–served 
  • High levels of engagement with community stakeholders (Health Councils, patients, cross-sector partnerships) 
  • An ability to meaningfully address community-identified needs 
  • Transformative impact, and sustainability beyond the performance period 

Resources

Federal Resources

  • CMS’s RHTP Website: Provides a high-level overview of the federal program and associated timelines. Includes links to numerous resources, including the Notice of Funding Opportunity, award announcements, state-by-state information, and frequently asked questions.
  • CMS Provider Payments Fact Sheet: Provides additional information on Category B funding for provider payments, including allowable uses, limitations, and sustainability considerations.

State Resources

  • TDH’s RHTP Website: Contains information on Tennessee’s plan, including goals, categories of funding, and key considerations for interested stakeholders. 
  • Competitive.Health@TN.gov: State of Tennessee email contact for questions specific to competitive opportunities.
  • RuralHealth@TN.gov: State of Tennessee email contact for general questions about the program.
  • TDH RHTP Email Notifications: Hospitals and other interested stakeholders can sign up to receive email notifications when RHTP funding opportunities are officially announced. Users can select individual focus areas or opt to receive updates on all opportunities.
  • TDH Partner Portal Quick Guide: Guidelines for creating an account, finding grant opportunities, and submitting an application. 
  • TDH Community Kickoff Webinar (March 31, 2026): Statewide webinar provides the first detailed look at funding opportunities post CMS approval of the state’s amended program budget.  
  • TDH RHTP Overview Webinar (April 15, 2026): Covers additional opportunities, investments, and frequently asked questions.

  • TDH Schedule of Competitive Opportunities Webinar (May 15, 2026): Outlined the timeline for the first round of RHTP applications.

THA Resources

  • THA/Forvis Mazars’ Hospital Funding Opportunities Information: Presentation crafted by THA and its consultants for a hospital audience that summarizes and offers insights on the information available as of April 1. Analyzes potential funding opportunities through a hospital-specific lens.
  • THA RHTP Preparation Webinar (April 28, 2026): Provided guidance on preparing for RHTP applications, including project evaluation, readiness, partnerships, compliance, and key funding opportunities for members. Hosted in collaboration with Forvis Mazars.

Additional Resources

Upcoming Dates

THA Informational Webinar for Members

Thursday, June 11, Time TBD 

More Information and Registration Coming Soon 

THA is here to support members as they navigate the RHTP. As additional information becomes available, THA will continue to provide updates, practical resources, and guidance to help hospitals and health systems better understand the program and consider opportunities that align with their organizational priorities and community health needs.

Last updated 5/21/26