Delta States Rural Development Network Program

The Delta States Rural Development Network Program, solicited under HRSA-26-045 by the Health Resources and Services Administration within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aims to establish and support integrated health care networks across eight rural states—Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee—to address systemic gaps in access, coordination, and quality of primary health services. The program seeks to enhance efficiencies, improve health outcomes, and strengthen the overall rural health infrastructure through collaborative partnerships among providers, community organizations, and state agencies. Applicants must define a service area encompassing HRSA-designated rural counties or census tracts, ensure that at least two-thirds of network participants are physically located within this region, and submit comprehensive documentation including a detailed work plan, staffing structure, biographical sketches of key personnel, and signed memoranda of understanding with all network entities. The initiative is designed to be implemented over a three-year period from September 30, 2026, to September 29, 2029, with individual awards ranging from $905,664 to $1,188,684 based on the number of required counties in the proposed service area. Applications must adhere to strict formatting guidelines, including a 50-page limit for the narrative and all attachments, 12-point font, single-spacing, and one-inch margins, submitted exclusively via Grants.gov by the August 12, 2026 deadline. Evaluation is merit-based, totaling 100 points across six factors: response methodology and work plan (25 points), performance management (20), impact (20), need (15), resources and capabilities (15), and reasonableness of the requested support (5). Emphasis is placed on evidence-based approaches, measurable outcomes, sustainable planning, and organizational capacity, with particular attention to alignment with HRSA’s strategic priorities and the use of approved tools for cost-savings and longitudinal data reporting. Applicants must provide UEI numbers for all network participants, and exceptions for tribes or those unable to obtain a UEI require specific documentation. Key personnel must commit a minimum of 1.0 FTE, and signed MOUs must be submitted either at application or within 60 days after award. Financial oversight, compliance with 2 CFR Part 200, federal antidiscrimination laws, and program integrity standards are mandatory, with no cost-based selection—awards consider merit, risk