Planning and Implementation Grants to Strengthen Rural Health Care in Tennessee

Ashley Harkrider
856.974.1810
aharkrid@uthsc.edu

Allen Stanton
901.448.9566
ats@uthsc.edu

The Tennessee Rural Health Care Center of Excellence is offering funding through two distinct grant opportunities aimed at strengthening rural healthcare across Tennessee by supporting innovative approaches that address the unique challenges faced by rural communities in accessing high-quality healthcare. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to addressing healthcare gaps and engaging local stakeholders in their proposed projects.

• Planning Grant: Supports the development of actionable plans for addressing specific rural healthcare challenges. These grants are ideal for organizations or partnerships seeking to assess needs, build capacity, and design evidence-based solutions tailored to their rural communities.
• Implementation Grant: Funds the execution of well-developed projects that directly improve access, quality, or sustainability of health care services in rural Tennessee. These grants are intended for initiatives ready to move from planning to action.

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, healthcare institutions (non-profit and for-profit), academic institutions, and community-based organizations serving rural areas in Tennessee.

Planning Grant:
Award ceiling: $100,000
Project period: 12 months

Implementation Grant:
Award ceiling: $500,000
Project period: Up to 36 months

Up to 10% of the total awarded amount can be used towards indirect costs.

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and the online application portal are available on the program website.

you are applying from an organization outside of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, please email Jamie Sowell to obtain access to the InfoReady portal.

A letter of intent must be submitted by November 14, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application by January 15, 2026.

Applicant webinar recording