Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 4: The Next Generation of the Small Town Doctor and Team

Summary

The Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 4 supports eligible rural healthcare providers across Texas by enabling recruitment, training, and retention of healthcare professionals. Funds are used to build local education and workforce pipelines and deliver personnel retention strategies, with an emphasis on behavioral health needs and care team resilience. Program funding is statewide and no cost share/match is required.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include rural healthcare providers, rural hospitals, and organizations serving rural communities in Texas. Eligibility is detailed in Section II (Scope of Grant) of the RFA. Applicants must be defined as rural healthcare entities under HHSC rules.

Requirements Checklist

• Applications must be submitted via the HHSC Grants Management System (GMS) External Portal. Applicants must comply with prohibited communication policies. Projects must develop education/training pipelines and implement retention strategies for rural health workforce. Grant funds may be used only for eligible activities, and may not be used for general operating expenses, debt payments, or administrative personnel costs or travel except with written HHSC approval. Administrative and travel costs are generally ineligible unless approved.

Required attachments

• Solicitation Addendum Acknowledgement Form