RHTP Recruit and Retain (RISE 2.5)
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Please read through the RFA, found here
Key information
Total Funding Available (this RFA): $9,397,152
Minimum Award Floor: $341,816
The RISE 2.5 key action is meant to help rural hospitals recruit and retain rural workforce through structured incentive awards for high-need professions. Hospitals will choose from a defined menu of incentive options, build a budget around them, and be reimbursed for approved costs. The program also encourages hospitals to test new recruitment and retention practices and to plan for sustaining successful positions and incentives after the funding period. Funds may be used only for the incentive options listed, or for approved alternatives.
- Recruitment and marketing
- Local short-term (under 6 months) housing assistance for rotations
- Candidate travel stipends for recruitment
- Relocation expenses
- Hosting and onboarding
- Living expenses support
- Signing / retention bonuses
- Clinical rotation support - lodging, per diem, mileage, childcare
- Childcare support - vouchers
- Childcare support - site or program
- Backup capacity - provider pool, overnight, vacation, extended leave
- Upskilling support - cross-training for key specialties
- Professional development - financial support for key training
- Transformative pilot (requires DHHS approval)
Period of Performance: December 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 (year 1 budget period)
Eligibility Criteria: This is not a competitive application. The only eligible entities are the 25 rural hospitals, and each hospital is eligible for a specific funding amount based on criteria used to establish different levels of need based on hospital type, location, status, and FTE. Hospitals are required to submit an application and budget detailing how they intend to use the funds to strengthen their clinical workforce.
Key Dates:
- RFA released October 26, 2026
- Informational webinar TBD
- Deadline for written questions November 13, 2026, 5:00pm MST
- Application deadline November 20, 2026, 5:00pm MST
- Award notification December 4, 2026
- Anticipated project start December 1, 2026
- Project end date September 30, 2027