By Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has posted Request for Applications (RFA) for three grant opportunities under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Nebraska.
RHTP-1.2 Make Rural Nebraska Healthy Again Through Food as Medicine aims to assess the landscape of food cooperatives and food pantries that procure locally grown items used in school nutrition programs and identify readiness for partnerships with schools by strengthening regional and local food aggregation hubs through the development of procurement tools for producers. Eligible applicants include producers (farmers and ranchers), food cooperatives, non-profit entities, and food pantries interested in partnering with schools. Applications are due April 8, 2026. For more information, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Grants%20and%20Contract%20Opportunity%20Docs/RHTP%20Initiative%201.2%20RFA.pdf
RHTP-3.3 Rural Health Care Workforce Incentive and Sustainability Model aims to strengthen Nebraska’s health care workforce by supporting the development and expansion of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T) third-party partners focused on health care career pathways. Eligible entities include local governments, Indian tribes, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit or for-profit entities. Applications are due June 1, 2026. For more information, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Grants%20and%20Contract%20Opportunity%20Docs/RHTP-3.3%20SNAP%20ET%20RFA.pdf
RHTP-4.4A Chronic Disease Management Navigation and Education Initiative aims to connect people in need with resources to promote healthy living and strengthen coordination among patients and health systems. Eligible applicants include rural clinics, federally qualified health centers, certified community behavioral health clinics, local health departments, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, rural hospitals, tribal health facilities and more. Applications are due by March 17, 2026. For more information, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Grants%20and%20Contract%20Opportunity%20Docs/RHTP-4.4A-Chronic-Disease-Management-Navigation-and-Education-Initiative.pdf
DHHS intends to release multiple RFAs over the next five years to provide organizations with multiple opportunities to apply for funds and assist in implementing this important work. There will be additional application opportunities in each funding year, depending on funding availability.
Nebraska received $218.5 million for the first year of a five-year grant. DHHS received a revised notice of award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) dated February 27, 2026, for Nebraska’s updated plan and budget. This approval allows DHHS to access the federal funds to launch Nebraska’s seven initiatives.
-Make Rural Nebraska Healthy Again Through Food as Medicine
-Regionalized Rural Access and Navigation. Rural Workforce Acceleration
-eHealth and Mobile Care. Rural Emergency Behavioral Health
-Assisted Living Facility Special Needs Population Incentive Model
-Nebraska Rural Health Technology Catalyst Fund and Partnership Initiative
RHTP is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize rural health care and make it more sustainable. Nebraska’s plan will build a prevention first, tech-enabled, sustainable rural health care system.
To learn more, visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Rural-Health-Transformation.aspx.