HHS Region 5 · Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Program Overview
The Minnesota Rural Health Transformation Program, administered by the Department of Health's Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, is currently implementing structured initiatives that support rural and Tribal healthcare, with active grant awards for hospitals, clinics, tribal nations, and clinicians. The program's major focus areas include workforce retention and development—such as rural residency and mental health workforce training, targeted loan forgiveness, and clinical training expansion—hospital capital improvement and sustainability, child and adolescent mental health, telehealth and health IT, technical assistance, and program evaluation. It is actively distributing CMS and other federal funds and tracks numerous initiatives aligned with its strategic plan. The structured plan remains focused on a broad set of targeted grants and measurable goals. Current structured plan tracks 32 key initiatives and 20 strategic goals.
County-level estimates averaged across Minnesota — % of adults 18+ unless noted. Delta vs US county average shown in red/green.
pp = percentage points vs US county average
County Drilldown (87)
| County | Pop | Poverty | Uninsured |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hennepin County | 1,269,496 | 10.0% | 5.4% |
| Ramsey County | 542,945 | 12.3% | 8.3% |
| Dakota County | 445,771 | 5.8% | 3.6% |
| Anoka County | 370,349 | 7.0% | 4.8% |
| Washington County | 276,238 | 5.1% | 3.5% |
| St. Louis County | 200,123 | 13.2% | 6.6% |
| Olmsted County | 164,498 | 7.5% | 4.7% |
| Stearns County | 160,865 | 12.9% | 7.6% |
| Scott County | 154,557 | 4.6% | 2.8% |
| Wright County | 148,269 | 5.2% | 3.9% |
| Carver County | 110,041 | 4.4% | 3.0% |
| Sherburne County | 100,560 | 5.1% | 3.1% |
AI source: MN - 2026 - FY27 Mental Health Cultural Community Continuing Education Grant Program – Trainers Questions and Answers
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Key signals are summarized here. Open the source for the supporting detail.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Grouped files
14 related documents
MN - 2025 - RHT Plan - Public Comments
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Updated
1,260,920 rural residents
Minnesota is actively implementing the Rural Health Transformation Program, with multiple RFPs and grant programs launched and grants awarded to rural hospitals and healthcare entities. FY2024 and FY2025 capital and workplace safety grants are supporting infrastructure and workforce safety improvements, and subrecipient activities are ongoing to advance program goals in workforce and care access. Several grant opportunities remain open for FY2027, while a range of awarded projects are in progress across the state. No new state RFPs or NOFOs are currently open, but awarded projects and technical assistance remain active. State opportunities: 3 active (3 closing soon, 26 past/closed), $396.0M listed funding. Key opportunities: FY 2027 Rural Clinical Rotations Grant Program Request For Proposal; 2027 Community Clinic Grant Program — Fiscal Year 2027 Grant Request for Proposal; Rural Residency Training Grant Program. Strategy alignment: supports workforce, care access priorities.
Minnesota’s RHTP continues a regionally focused, partnership-driven strategy which advances rural health workforce, provider financial sustainability, and healthcare access. The program now incorporates coordinated investments in rural hospital and clinic safety, infrastructure modernization, and sustainability planning, building on expanded clinical training, workforce retention, evaluation, health IT, and telehealth. Formal grant programs and targeted initiatives reinforce Minnesota’s evidence-based model for rural health transformation and equitable access.
Model
Regional, partnership-driven transformation emphasizing rural workforce expansion through clinical rotations, rural residency and fellowship training programs, targeted loan forgiveness, innovations in access via stationary telehealth and Tele-buprenorphine access points, Project ECHO learning networks, rural telehealth services center analysis, collaborative financial models (including EMS treatment-in-place pilots), enhanced health IT infrastructure, technical assistance and advisory services, performance measurement frameworks, rural hospital infrastructure and workplace safety modernization, and pilot care models shaped by stakeholder, Tribal, and community engagement.
Key Initiatives (32)
Timeline: 12/29/2025 to 10/30/2030
Focused efforts on maternal and child mental health and broad tele-buprenorphine access aim to address rural behavioral health access gaps.
Retention programs target rural clinicians and advanced practice providers to stabilize and grow the rural health workforce.
Expansion of telehealth access points and technology support improves rural residents' access to care.
MN - 2026 - Minnesota Department of Health RHTP Technical Advisory Services for Health Information Technology (HIT) Purchases Request for Proposals
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MN - 2026 - Minnesota awarded $193 million for first year of RHTP
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MN - 2025 - RHTP Project ECHO for Maternal and Behavioral Health RFP
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MN - 2026 - Request for Proposal: RHTP: Project ECHO for Maternal and Behavioral Health
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MN - 2026 - RHTP Funding (mnems)
Award evidence — reconciled 2026-09-27
MN - 2026 - RHTP Funding Technical Assistance for Healthcare Providers on Health Information Technology
Award evidence — reconciled 2026-09-27
MN - 2026 - RHTP Funding K-12 Healthcare Career Exposure and Earn & Train Pathways
Award evidence — reconciled 2026-09-27
MN - 2026 - RHTP Funding
Award evidence — reconciled 2026-09-27
MN - 2026 - RHTP Funding Health Information Technology Advisory Services
Award evidence — reconciled 2026-09-27
MN - 2026 - RHTP Funding RHTP Evaluation
Award evidence — reconciled 2026-09-27
MN - 2026 - RHTP Funding (perimed)
Award evidence — reconciled 2026-09-27
MN - 2026 - RHTP Funding (freya)
Award evidence — reconciled 2026-09-27
MN - 2026 - RHTP Funding: Identifying Performance Measures for RHTP Information Technology Investments
Award evidence — reconciled 2026-09-27
Minnesota Department of Health — Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Due Oct 30, 2026· ⏰ 11 days left
1 related document
MN - 2026 - FY2027 Rural Family Medicine Residency Grant Program
Official FY2027 RFP
Minnesota Department of Health
Due Oct 30, 2026· ⏰ 11 days left
1 related document
MN - 2026 - Community Clinic Grant – Fiscal Year 2027
Primary source
Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), Office of Rural Health and Primary Care
Due Oct 30, 2026· ⏰ 11 days left
1 related document
MN - 2026 - Fy 2027 Rural Clinical Rotations Grant Program Grant Request For Proposal (RFP)
Primary source
| FY↓ | Awardee↕ | Amount↕ | Activity↕ | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Minnesota EMS Agencies Grant funds to EMS Agencies to implement rural ambulance treatment in place pilot. | $9.2M | EMS Development | |
| 2026 | Stratis Health Provide technical assistance services for Health Care Providers on Health Information Technology for Rural Health Transformation Program grant. | $883K | Health IT | |
| 2026 | HealthForce MN Funds evidence-based Scrubs Camps and HOSA future health professional chapters to introduce rural K-12 students to healthcare careers, and provides earn-and-train pathways for rural workers to gain entry-level health care credentials while working part-time for rural employers. | $655K | Workforce | |
| 2026 | Minnesota Community Health Worker Alliance Work with rural health care employers to support career growth opportunities for rural workers to become community health workers (CHWs) and community health representatives (CHRs) through apprenticeships, training, and credentialing. | $386K | Workforce | |
| 2026 | Technology Management Corporation Provide technical advisory services to MDH on Health Information Technology purchases made by sub-recipients of the Rural Health Transformation Program grant. | $330K | Health IT | |
| 2026 | Minnesota Office of EMS Pilot test an ambulance service treatment in place project. The OEMS will define treatment in place and using this definition provide funds to rural ambulance services that opt into the project. Treatment in place is treatment that occurs when an ambulance service responds to a 911 call but does not transport the caller to the hospital. These calls are not reimbursable by insurance. OEMS will further refine this model and under the direction of MDH, implement this pilot model to test the impact of these funds for sustainability of rural ambulance services. | $281K | EMS Development | |
| 2026 | Minnesota Management and Budget MMB will provide expert evaluation services including evaluation design, data collection planning, and metrics development and use support for Minnesota’s Rural Health Transformation Program. | $276K | Other | |
| 2026 | Minnesota Medical Association Provide Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) series on mental/behavioral health services to provide care-based learning and mentorship programs as a part of the Minnesota Rural Health Transformation Program. | $165K | Population Health | |
| 2026 | Minnesota Perinatal Organization Provide Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) series on topics including maternal health (inclusive of maternal mental health) to provide care-based learning and mentorship programs as a part of the Minnesota Rural Health Transformation Program. | $165K | Population Health | |
| 2026 | Freya + Co Support Minnesota’s Rural Health Transformation Program by designing and facilitating structured meetings of the Minnesota Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Education Development Council, supporting consensus building across diverse stakeholders, and ensuring that the council’s work results in clear, actionable recommendations. | $69K | Population Health |
The Wisconsin Office of Rural Health welcomes new RHTP staff, Isabella Becker, dedicated to advancing rural health equity in Wisconsin. This newsletter announces upcoming deadlines, grant opportunities, EMS courses, nurse residencies, volunteer openings, and celebrates rural health community achievements. It highlights programs fostering rural workforce development, quality improvement, health literacy, access, EMS innovation, and maternal health. Key contacts: Isabella Becker; Sara Onitsuka Event schedule: - Q3 of EDTC measures due - 11/02/2026 - CAH Quality Inventory Assessment due - 11/20/2026 - Wisconsin Medical Society Foundation Community Grants application deadline - 10/15/2026 - Milton & Phyllis Berg Family Respite Care Grant application deadline - 10/23/2026 - Dental Trade Alliance Foundation Grants application deadline - 11/30/2026 - WORH EMS Operations and Management Course (Zoom) - 01/07/2027 - 6:30 PM - Online (Zoom) - Wisconsin Safe Care Summit - 10/22/2026 - 8:30 AM-4:00 PM - Hilton Appleton Paper Valley Hotel - AHEC Rising Rural Health Leaders program start - 12/14/2026 - North Central Wisconsin and online
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Minnesota awarded a total of $269,000 in FY2025-2026 Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grants across eight rural hospitals. Awards ranged from $25,000 to $49,500 to support locally led rural hospital transformation efforts. Key contacts: Health.RuralHospitalGrants@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Award Effective Date - 06/01/2025
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Minnesota is offering competitive grants in FY27 to health care entities including critical access and rural hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities to prevent workplace violence and increase staff safety. The focus is on training for de-escalation and positive support services, implementing environmental changes, and improving reporting and support for staff and patients. Collaboration with partners such as mental health, social service providers, and first responders is encouraged. Key contacts: Erik Larson, MSW Health.ORHPC.WorkforceGrants@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Application Due Date - 06/12/2026 - 4:30 PM CT - Online via ORHPC Grants Management System - Questions Submission Deadline - 06/10/2026 - 4:30 PM CT - Email to Health.ORHPC.WorkforceGrants@state.mn.us - Grant Distribution Announcement - Grant Period Start Date - 10/01/2026 - Grant Period End Date - 09/30/2027
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The program funds a statewide nonprofit which will award subgrants to organizations throughout Minnesota to offer summer health care internships, focusing on employing both secondary and postsecondary students in rural health settings. Eligible internship sites include clinics, hospitals, nursing facilities, assisted living, and home care providers. Key contacts: Health.ORHPC.WorkforceGrants@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Host site application opening - Late March or Early April 2026 - Minnesota statewide
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Minnesota awarded $275,945 to Minnesota Management and Budget for expert evaluation services to support its Rural Health Transformation Program. The evaluation includes design, data collection planning, and metrics development to advance program effectiveness. Key contacts: health.orhp@state.mn.us Event schedule: - award date - 09/17/2026
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This data sheet lists Minnesota sponsoring institutions and their awarded amounts for Rural Primary Care and Oral Health Primary Care clinical training programs for FY2025, totaling $5,550,000.
The program is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health in Saint Paul and has a funding award totaling $193,090,618 with a performance period from December 29, 2025 to October 30, 2030. Multiple administrative supplements are scheduled throughout 2026 to support the program’s administrative needs.
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This document provides clarifications and eligibility criteria for the Minnesota FY27 Mental Health Cultural Community Continuing Education Grant program focused on workforce training for underrepresented and rural communities. It emphasizes that rural individuals must be also underrepresented by other demographic factors to qualify for free training. Key contacts: health.orhpc.workforcegrants@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Question Submission Deadline - 10/16/2026 - 4:30 PM CT - email submission to health.orhpc.workforcegrants@state.mn.us
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03/31/2027
Draft Recommendations Report Due
05/07/2027
Final Recommendations Report Due
March – May, 2027
Pilot Site Selection
09/30/2027
Contract End
03/31/2027
Draft pilot funding recommendations due
05/07/2027
Final pilot recommendations report due
09/01/2027
Anticipated Contract End
December 2026, March 2027, June 2027, September 2027
Written Progress Reports Due
09/01/2026
Anticipated Contract Start
MN - 2026 - Meet our new RHTP assistant, Community Heroes nominations and fresh grants Oct. 15, 2026
Oct 15, 2026 15:05
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MN - 2026 - Request for Proposal: Rural Clinical Rotations Grant Program
Sep 14, 2026 15:54
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MN - 2026 - Award Search - Search HHS Grant Awards
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Federal Health Care Scholarship and Loan Repayment Programs (FLRP)
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ORHPC Funding
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MN - 2026 - FY23 HCBS Qualified Education Loan Form (Excel)
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MN - 2026 - Grant Budget Modification Worksheet - with indirect and match (Excel)
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MN - 2026 - Grant Budget Modification Worksheet - basic (no indirect, no match) (Excel)
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MN - 2026 - Sample Budget Worksheet (Excel)
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MN - 2026 - forms
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MN - 2018 - 2018-2019 Indian Health Grant Awards
MN - 2026 - ORHPC Health Care Funding - MN Dept. of Health
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MN - 2026 - Minnesota Allocates RHTP Funds to Tribal Nations Amid Medicaid Changes
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MN - 2026 - Cost Proposal: Analysis of the Rural Maternity Care System
Minnesota Health Care Loan Forgiveness Program
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Confirmation of Practice Form – Full-Time Practice Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program
Race/Ethnicity/Gender Survey Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program
Payment Verification Form for Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)
Confirmation of Practice Form – Half-Time Practice Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program
Minnesota State Loan Repayment Program Qualified Loan Form
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MN - 2026 - Sample Contract: Technical Assistance for Rural Health Care Entities in Support of Community & Clinical Linkages (PDF)
State of Minnesota Professional and Technical Services Contract
Minnesota Management & BudgetStatewide Operating Procedure RHTP 2011 Document
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Minnesota Management & BudgetStatewide Operating Policy RHTP 2011 Document
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Minnesota Statewide Operating Procedure RHTP 2012 Document
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Minnesota Statewide Operating Policy RHTP 2012 Annual Report
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Minnesota Statewide Operating Procedure RHTP 2012 Document
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Minnesota Statewide Operating Policy RHTP 2014 Document
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Minnesota QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE February 20, 2024 Run SWIFT Queries For Supplier Contract Data This Guide Provides A List Of SWIFT Queries Agencies Commonly Use To Look Up Informat
Appropriation Maintenance Application (AMA) Glossary
Minnesota RHTP 2014 Document
Minnesota Statewide Operating Policy Owner: Minnesota Management And Budget, Debt Management RHTP 2011 Document
Minnesota Management And Budget Statewide Operating Procedure Minnesota Management And Budget, Budget Division Number 0306-01.1 Issued: January 16, 2014 Revised: N/A Legislative Ad
Minnesota Statewide Operating Policy Owner: Minnesota Management And Budget, Financial Reporting Unit Number: 0402-02 Issued: April 1, 2014 Last Major Revision: July 1, 2015 Last U
Minnesota Wire Transfer Request Part 1: Paying Agency Information Agency Requesting Wire: Business Unit: Part 2: Wire Instructions Date To Wire The Funds: Wire Amount In US Dollars
Minnesota Procedure Number #0802-02.1 Date Issued: 08/06/2015 Date Revised: 08/06/2024 Warrant Special Handling Authority: Minnesota Management And Budget, Vendor Payments Unit Req
Minnesota Appendix A – Risk Assessment Agencies Number Agency Name 1. Department Of Administration (Cabinet) 2. Department Of Agriculture (Cabinet) 3. Department Of Commerce (Cabin
Minnesota RHTP 2015 Document
Minnesota Sales and Use Tax - Direct Pay Authorization
Minnesota Statewide Operating Policy Owner: Minnesota Management And Budget, Accounting Services RHTP 2017 Document
Minnesota Management And Budget Statewide Operating Procedure Minnesota Management And Budget, Budget Division Number 0301-01.2 Issued: June 24, 2015 Revised: N/A Modifying Appropr
Event schedule: - All applicants must be able to demonstrate applicable membership and compliance with their corresponding accrediting bodies. * *Applications Due:* , 4:30 p.m. More information is available: Rural Health Transformation... - *Application Deadline: , 2026* - July 17 - *Eligible Applicants:* State, county, city, township, and tribal governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and private institutions of h...
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Minnesota awarded $1,590,100 in federal funds to 20 rural hospitals for capital improvements including equipment upgrades and facility renovations. Projects aim to enhance quality and safety across rural hospitals. Key contacts: Minnesota Department of Health Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC) Health.RuralHospitalGrants@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Award Date - 06/01/2025
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Minnesota awarded approximately $1.44 million across 19 rural hospitals for capital improvement projects including new ambulances, diagnostic equipment, and facility upgrades. The program supports enhancing rural hospital infrastructure and emergency service capacity. Key contacts: Minnesota Department of Health Office of Rural Health and Primary Care Health.RuralHospitalGrants@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Award Start Date - 06/01/2024
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Minnesota is issuing $4.4 million in grants for rural and small health care entities to implement workplace violence prevention and safety programs. Eligible applicants include rural hospitals (critical access and under 50 beds), long-term care, clinics, and community health centers, with a focus on equity and evidence-based interventions. Grants fund activities such as staff training, environmental safety improvements, and data systems, aiming for measurable improvements in workforce safety perceptions, incident reduction, and retention. Key contacts: Health.ORHPC.WorkforceGrants@state.mn.us Event schedule: - RFP published - 04/20/2026 - CT - Informational webinar - 04/28/2026 - 1:00 PM CT - Teams meeting (link on program website) - Application deadline - 06/12/2026 - 4:30 PM CT - Grant distribution announcement - End of July 2026 - Grant agreements begin (estimated) - October 1, 2026 - Grant agreements end - September 30, 2027
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The SBCT grant, administered by the Minnesota Department of Health Office of Rural Health and Primary Care, is expected to provide $3.45 million in funding for clinical training performed in FY2025. Commissioner priorities remain rural primary care and oral health, with eligibility focused on clinical training sites located outside the Seven County Metro Area or providing sliding fee services. Applicants must use the MERC-related portal and comply with guidance for site demographics and grant verification reporting. Key contacts: ClinicalTraining.MDH@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Questions deadline - 09/25/2026 - 4:30 PM CT - GVR submission deadline - 07/15/2027
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Minnesota's 2026 Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grant Program solicits applications from rural, non-profit, non-federal, general acute care hospitals with 50 beds or fewer outside the 7-county metropolitan area. The program funds the development and implementation of strategic plans and transition projects to preserve or enhance rural health access, with a required 50% non-state match. Collaborative projects and innovative care models are especially encouraged. Key contacts: Melanie Innes Health.ruralhospitalgrants@state.mn.us; efthelpline.mmb@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Questions Submission Deadline - 11/21/2025 - 4:30 PM CT - Applications Due - 12/12/2025 - 4:30 PM CT - Online via ORHPC Grants Management System - CHB Comments Due - 01/12/2026 - CT - Email to health.ruralhospitalgrants@state.mn.us
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Minnesota awarded a total of $5.55 million in FY2025 Site-Based Clinical Training Grants to qualifying rural primary care and oral health sites. The largest awards support institutions such as Mayo Clinic, Duluth Family Medicine Clinic, and the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. These grants directly fund workforce development at numerous rural facilities across the state.
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Minnesota awarded multiple rural healthcare providers Workplace Safety grants for FY 2025 to enhance safety and workforce protections. Grants range up to $50,000 per organization, supporting improved health outcomes in rural areas. Key contacts: Office of Rural Health and Primary Care health.ORHPC.workforcegrants@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Award Period Start - 10/01/2024 - Award Period End - 09/30/2025
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Minnesota's SHIP program operates under a 5-year grant period funding Critical Access Hospitals with annual awards. The 2024-2025 award is estimated at $13,312 per hospital, focusing on quality improvement initiatives including ICD-11 readiness and MBQIP reporting. Key contacts: Melanie Innes health.ruralSHIP@state.mn.us Event schedule: - Progress Report Due Date 2023 Year - 01/20/2024 - Financial Report Due Date 2023 Year - 06/20/2024 - Final Report Due Date 2023 Year - 06/20/2024 - 2024 Application Report Due - 01/31/2024 - Estimated Progress Report Due 2024 Year - 01/2025 - Financial Report Due Date 2024 Year - 06/20/2025 - Final Report Due Date 2024 Year - 06/20/2025
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