Rural Health Transformation Grant Applications Now Open
Wisconsin DHS plans to disperse millions via grants in support of initiatives strengthening rural healthcare partnerships and workforce, technology
After being awarded over $203 million toward its participation in the federal Rural Health Transformation (RHT) program, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is looking to distribute a portion of those funds as grant dollars yet this year.
The RHT initiative – authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill and overseen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – aims to “empower states to strengthen rural communities across America by improving healthcare access, quality, and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem.”
To participate in the RHT program, the Wisconsin DHS requested a total $1 billion over the next five years (or $200 million/year). While future years’ funding has not been determined, its first-year funding award – $203,670,005.21, to be specific – is more than initially requested.
As of June 15, individuals and organizations across Wisconsin may qualify for three new grants coinciding with the RHT’s goals: the Care Coordination grant, Community Health Worker grant and Rural Dental Efficiency and Access grant.
In total, those three grants could award up to $40 million this year.
Care Coordination grant
This grant opportunity aims to support new and innovative partnership models that coordinate care across systems and sectors in rural Wisconsin, according to the DHS website. $10 million is allocated towards this grant.
“These competitive grants will innovate care delivery in the state’s seven Healthcare Emergency Readiness Coalitions regions, and will improve access to preventive services, primary and specialty care, dental services, and/or behavioral health services through team-based models of care delivered in trusted sites close to home,” the DHS website states.
Application deadline: Aug. 21, 2026
Community Health Worker grant
This grant opportunity aims to support increased quality and number of community health workers in rural areas; enhance programs through training and technical assistance; support strong infrastructure and connections between providers and communities. $20 million is allocated towards this grant.
“These competitive grants will seek to boost adoption of community health workers as an evidence-based model to improve outcomes for people with chronic health conditions, especially those who are low-income or underserved,” the DHS website states.
Application deadline: Aug. 7, 2026
Rural Dental Efficiency and Access grant
This grant opportunity aims to support rural and semi-rural communities' dental clinics through improved access to technologies and resulting efficiencies.
“DHS will provide competitive grants to dental clinics to adopt efficient cleaning technologies and expand routine dental services for rural Medicaid beneficiaries ... and incentivize dentists to enroll as Medicaid providers by subsidizing the purchase of these efficient technologies. ... Beyond Medicaid, this technology will increase dental service quality and availability for all rural patients at participating clinics,” the DHS website states.
Application deadline: July 27, 2026
A 23-member advisory council – made up of individual providers, those with lived experience utilizing rural healthcare, members of healthcare institutions including NorthLakes Community Clinic, Octonto Hospitals & Medical Center, among others – will support the Wisconsin program.
Application technical assistance (support to access community data, planning project evaluation and more) can be requested through the Wisconsin DHS via email at DHSRuralHealth@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Learn more about the Wisconsin Department of Health Services participation in the Rural Health Transformation program online at www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/rhtp/. An FAQ regarding the RHT program was updated in April 2026, available to view online.
