RFGA BHWI-Scholarships, loans, tuition assistance, stipends

The Oregon Health Authority is issuing a Request for Grant Applications to utilize Behavioral Health Workforce Incentive funds aimed at bolstering Oregon’s behavioral health workforce through educational incentives such as scholarships, loans, tuition assistance, and stipends. The program seeks to support, sustain, and expand behavioral health services by encouraging qualifying entities to recruit and retain staff, especially in rural and underserved communities. The funding opportunity, posted in late 2025, has an estimated total value between five and fifteen million dollars and emphasizes strategies that improve service capacity, promote equity, and employ evidence-based models. Applicants are required to submit detailed narratives addressing implementation plans, provider types supported, the rationale for provider selection, and cost-effectiveness, along with a comprehensive budget table outlining projected funding requests across various incentive categories. Evaluation of proposals will consider technical merit, including the clarity and feasibility of implementation, the rationale for provider support, and the potential impact on underserved populations. Additional scoring factors include service expansion strategies, geographic reach, especially in rural areas, and alignment with state goals for workforce development. The process incorporates a scoring rubric to ensure objective assessment, with award decisions balancing technical quality, budget reasonableness, and strategic fit. The grant agreement incorporates specific contractual provisions related to subcontracting, recordkeeping, data security, insurance, and indemnification, with Oregon’s Office of the Oregon Health Authority serving as the primary oversight body. Applicants must adhere to Oregon’s procurement and certification requirements, including outreach to disadvantaged business enterprises, and submit all documentation via the OregonBuys portal before the December deadline.