Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP)

916.326.3700
hpcop@hcai.ca.gov

Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP) will fund health career conferences, workshops, and health career exploration programs in California. Outreach and recruitment in rural and medically underserved areas/populations is a program priority.

Award Categories:

• Category A: Health Career Conferences and/or Workshops - Focuses on introducing participants to a wide variety of health career options by offering health "career fair" experiences and/or workshops. Programs must support a minimum of 100 participants.
• Award Category B: Hands-On Experience in Healthcare - Focuses on direct exposure of participants to one or more health careers through hands-on experience that includes direct interaction with healthcare professionals in real or simulated healthcare settings. Programs must support a minimum of 50 participants.

Program goals:

• Conducting a conference and/or workshop series aimed at informing individuals of opportunities in health professional careers
• Providing support and technical assistance to health professional schools and colleges, as well as to student and community organizations active in minority health professional development
• Conducting relevant workforce research and data analysis

Projects should:

• Inspire and prepare students for careers in health professions through training, mentorship, educational or financial support, and other means
• Create and/or strengthen educational partnerships, community support, and workforce preparation efforts between entities
• Provide programming that is culturally and linguistically responsive to program participants, which requires recognizing and addressing behaviors, values, practices, attitudes, and beliefs as they affect their healthcare
• Address challenges specific to the program participants and program demographics

Proposals will be accepted from public, private nonprofit, and private for-profit organizations located within the state of California.

Eligible health professions include:

• Primary care
• Behavioral health
• Caring for older adults
• Nursing
• Oral health
• Allied health

Award amounts:

$12,000 for Category A or $20,000 with a focus on behavioral health and/or caring for older adults health careers

$15,000 for Category B or $25,000 with a focus on behavioral health and/or caring for older adults health careers

Estimated total program funding: $300,000

Links to application instructions and the online application are available on the program website.

Applicant webinar
(Registration required)
September 1, 2026
11:00 a.m. Pacific

Technical assistance guide