Maryland Funding & Opportunities

Maryland AHEC Scholars
A multidisciplinary certificate program for certain health professions students in Maryland that offers opportunities for hands-on training, experience in rural and healthcare shortage communities, and networking with other students and professionals.

Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC): Grant Initiative for the Appalachian, Delta, and Northern Border Regions
Grants for projects in the Appalachian, Lower Mississippi Delta, and Northern Border regions that will provide career, training, and support services to eligible individuals in eligible counties and parishes. Grants will support workforce development activities that prepare dislocated workers, new entrants to the workforce, and incumbent workers for good jobs in high-demand occupations aligned with a regional or community economic development strategy. High demand industries include manufacturing, IT, healthcare, business, and energy.

Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program
Direct financial assistance for rural hospitals facing structural payment disadvantages with the goal of maintenance of healthcare providers, which will in turn maintain essential health services and prevent avoidable hospital closures.

American Connection Corps
A 1-year fellowship program that trains and mobilizes leaders to work in rural and emerging communities to coordinate broadband development and digital inclusion.

Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) J-1 Visa Waiver Program
Offers a J-1 Visa waiver to foreign physicians who commit to serving for 3 years in rural Appalachian areas, allowing them to remain in the United States.

Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project Development Loan Fund Program
Community development loans to local governments, public service authorities, user associations, nonprofit organizations, and other community entities for the development and/or construction of large-scale community projects.

Local Economy Lab: Funding to Support Coal Communities in Transition Inactive
Funding and technical assistance to help coal communities build community-led economic transition projects. Community-driven solutions will be across 3 strategy areas: workforce development, entrepreneurship/small business support, and place-based infrastructure.

Gladys Brooks Foundation Grants Inactive
Grants for libraries, educational institutions, hospitals, and clinics within the service area of the Gladys Brooks Foundation.

Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization in Coal-Affected Appalachia (POWER) Inactive
Funding for workforce and economic revitalization activities in communities and regions that have been affected by job losses in coal mining, coal power plant operations, and coal-related supply chain industries. Priority sectors include but are not limited to healthcare, broadband/telecommunications, aerospace, and tourism.

Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund Inactive
Grants to rural-serving nonprofit organizations in Maryland that promote statewide and regional planning, economic and community development, and agricultural and forestry education. Priority funding areas include agriculture, energy, rural broadband, youth engagement and economic and community development.