This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Rural Health Network Development Planning Program (“Network Planning”). The purpose of the Network Planning program is to assist in the development of an integrated health care network, specifically with network participants who do not have a history of formal collaborative efforts. Network Planning goals are: (i) to achieve efficiencies; (ii) to expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of essential health care services; and (iii) to strengthen the rural health care system as a whole.

Eligible applicants must be rural nonprofit private or rural public entities that represent a consortium/network composed of three or more health care providers. Federally recognized tribal entities are eligible to apply as long as they are located in a non-metropolitan county or in a rural census tract of a metropolitan county, and all services must be provided in a non-metropolitan county or rural census tract.

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