Rural Residency Planning and Development Program
About
The Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) program improves and expands rural health care access. It does this by developing new, accredited, sustainable rural residency programs, including rural track programs (RTPs). Newly created rural physician residency programs increase training and ultimately practice in rural areas to address physician shortages. The RRPD program provides start-up funding to create new rural residency programs in qualifying medical specialties. Long-term sustainability funding must come from viable and stable sources, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and other public or private sources. Qualifying medical specialties are:Family medicine.Internal medicine.Preventive medicine.Psychiatry.General surgery.Obstetrics and gynecology.For this notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), rural residency programs:Are accredited physician residency programs.Train residents in clinical training sites that are physically located in a rural area as defined by HRSA"s Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) for greater than 50 percent of their total time in residency.Focus on preparing physicians to practice in rural communities.
The Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program is a federal initiative designed to address critical physician shortages in rural America by funding the creation and expansion of accredited rural residency programs. This program is ideal for medical institutions, healthcare systems, and educational organizations committed to training the next generation of rural physicians. The RRPD program provides start-up funding to establish new residency programs in key medical specialties including family medicine, internal medicine, preventive medicine, psychiatry, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. Eligible programs must train residents in clinical settings located in rural areas for more than 50% of their residency duration and must focus on preparing physicians for rural practice. With funding available up to $750,000, this grant supports sustainable solutions to rural healthcare access challenges. Organizations should apply if they have the institutional capacity to develop accredited programs, access to rural training sites, and commitment to long-term sustainability through sources like Medicare, Medicaid, and public or private partnerships. This grant represents a unique opportunity to invest in rural healthcare infrastructure and physician workforce development.
Funding Facts
● Applications openDeadline
July 8, 2026
Award Amount
Up to $750K
Who can apply
Last verified July 5, 2026 · Source: Grants.gov
Grant Details
Grant Amount
Up to $750K
Deadline
2026-07-08
Grant Type
federal
Application Cycle
Annual
Best For
Medical institutions, healthcare systems, and educational organizations developing rural residency programs in key medical specialties
Eligibility
Only domestic organizations are eligible. "Domestic" means the 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau. Faith-based organizations are eligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program?
Only domestic organizations are eligible, meaning entities located in the 50 states, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau. Faith-based organizations are also eligible. Organizations must be capable of developing accredited physician residency programs with rural training sites. For complete eligibility requirements, visit the official HRSA website.
How much funding does the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program provide?
Funding amounts up to $750,000 are available through this program. However, exact award amounts may vary depending on the specific funding cycle and proposal scope. Applicants should consult the official Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for current funding details and any adjustments for the application cycle.
How do I apply for the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program?
Applications are submitted through the official federal grants portal. Interested organizations should visit the HRSA website and search for the Rural Residency Planning and Development Program NOFO for detailed application instructions, required documentation, and submission procedures. The program typically has specific deadlines and eligibility documentation requirements that must be carefully followed.
What can Rural Residency Planning and Development Program funding be used for?
Funding supports the start-up and development of new, accredited rural physician residency programs, including rural track programs (RTPs). Grants help establish programs in family medicine, internal medicine, preventive medicine, psychiatry, general surgery, and obstetrics and gynecology. While start-up funding is provided, long-term program sustainability must be supported through viable sources such as Medicare, Medicaid, and other public or private funding sources.
Last updated: July 5, 2026