Skip to main content
Rural Health Information Hub

Rural Health
Funding by Topic: Research methods and resources

Summaries of funding programs are provided by RHIhub for your convenience. Please contact the funder directly for the most complete and current information.

Hearst Foundations Health Grants
Program, capital, and endowment support grants for organization working to address access to healthcare for high-need populations, healthcare professional shortages, evolving healthcare demands, and medical research. Rural populations are a priority.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: The Hearst Foundations
Maine Health Access Foundation Discretionary Grants
Grants for organizations working to expand access to care and improve health for all people in Maine.
Geographic coverage: Maine
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Maine Health Access Foundation
Michigan Investigator Initiated Research Program
Funds Michigan-based innovative research projects that address health inequities; social determinants of health; and healthcare access, quality and cost.
Geographic coverage: Michigan
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
Michigan Physician Investigator Research Award
Funding for Michigan physicians to explore research concerning quality, cost, and/or access to care through pilot studies, feasibility studies, or small research projects.
Geographic coverage: Michigan
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation
North Central Regional Center for Rural Development Fellows Program
Fellowships for faculty or staff from Land Grant Institutions to collaborate with NCRCRD staff on research and/or outreach projects that will enhance rural development in the North Central Region.
Geographic coverage: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: North Central Regional Center for Rural Development
PCORI Ambassador Program
A national volunteer network designed to engage the healthcare community in strengthening the patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) and increasing the dissemination of PCORI-funded​ research. PCORI supports research to give patients a better understanding of the prevention, treatment and care options available while considering potential for differences in treatment effectiveness among subpopulations, such as rural residents.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Technical Assistance for Tribal Domestic Violence Programs and Shelters
Technical assistance for tribal domestic violence programs and shelters to build tribal capacity to respond to domestic violence; strengthen advocacy; and improve services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, dating violence, and sex trafficking.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: National Indigenous Women's Resource Center
Cancer Health Research Centers (CHERCs) Inactive
Funding to support the formation of Cancer Health Research Centers (CHERCs) which are designed to achieve improved cancer health outcomes and reduce cancer mortality. Access to healthcare in rural communities is a program priority.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Letter of Intent (Required): Feb 9, 2026
Application Deadline: Jun 1, 2026
Sponsor: American Cancer Society
Wisconsin Community Health Internship Program (CHIP) Inactive
A summer internship for college students in Wisconsin. The internship provides hands-on opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to work with local health departments, tribal health centers, community health centers, and community service organizations.
Geographic coverage: Wisconsin
Application Deadline: Jan 31, 2026
Sponsor: Wisconsin Area Health Education Center System
Native American Summer Research Internship (NARI) Inactive
A 10-week paid summer research opportunity for Native American undergraduate junior and senior students who are interested in health science research and rural health. The internship is located at the University of Utah.
Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Jan 30, 2026
Sponsor: University of Utah School of Medicine