This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program. The purpose of the AHEC Program is to develop and enhance education and training networks within communities, academic institutions, and community-based organizations. In turn, these networks seek to increase diversity among health professionals, broaden the distribution of the health workforce, enhance health care quality, and improve health care delivery to rural and underserved areas and populations.

Entities eligible to apply are public or nonprofit private accredited schools of allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine, an incorporated consortia made up of such schools, or the parent institution(s) of such schools. In states and territories in which no AHEC Program is in operation, an accredited school of nursing is an eligible applicant. AHEC Requirements in Sections 751(d)(2)(A) and 751(d)(2)(B) of the PHS Act For FY 2022, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260) gave the Secretary authority to grant a waiver of the AHEC requirements under sections 751(d)(2)(A) and 751(d)(2)(B) of the PHS Act13 to programs meeting certain requirements, including that the program must have been operating under section 751 of the PHS Act on or before January 1, 2009. Applicants seeking a waiver must submit their request with their grant application. Decisions regarding the waiver requests are contingent upon extension of the Secretary’s waiver authority for FY 2022 and HRSA administrative review of each waiver request. For instructions, please see Attachment 9. Foreign entities are not eligible for these awards.

Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration AHECProgram@hrsa.gov