Telehealth Use in Rural Healthcare – Funding & Opportunities

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Utilizing Telemedicine or Other Remote-Based Platforms to Develop and Support Treatments for Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)
Notice of Special Interest for research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of telemedicine or remotely provided treatments for SUD, and to develop tools for remote collection of data in clinical trials of treatments for SUD. Projects focusing on racial and ethnic minorities, socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals, and rural populations are encouraged.

Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Funding for Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian lands for deployment of internet infrastructure, affordability programs, telehealth, and distance learning initiatives.

Rural Health Network Development Planning Program
Grants to promote the planning and development of integrated rural healthcare networks in order to achieve efficiencies; expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of essential healthcare services; and strengthen the rural healthcare system as a whole.

Rural Health Care Program – Healthcare Connect Fund
Provides assistance to healthcare providers for eligible expenses related to broadband connectivity at a flat discounted rate of 65%. Participants can apply as a member of a consortium or a stand-alone entity.

Rural Health Care Telecommunications (Telecom) Program
Assistance to healthcare providers for eligible expenses related to telecommunications and voice services for the use of telemedicine and telehealth.

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Telehealth Strategies for Individuals with HIV and Substance Use Disorders
Notice of Special Interest for research to explore and develop telehealth methods and strategies for diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and population analysis in individuals living with HIV and substance use disorder.

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Assessing Real-World Effectiveness and Implementation of Telehealth-Guided Provider-to-Provider Communication among Rural Communities
Notice of Special Interest for research that generates evidence on the real-world effectiveness of telehealth collaboration among healthcare providers for consultation, second opinions, and other purposes, referred to as provider-to-provider telehealth (PPT). PPT offers remote access to critical health expertise that might not exist locally in some rural communities.

Economic Development Assistance Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs
Funding to support the implementation of regional economic development, including public works projects and job creation projects. Past projects have included funding for water and wastewater projects in hospitals and healthcare facilities and road infrastructure projects that would support the expansion of healthcare facilities. Rural, tribal, and other underserved communities are a program priority.

The Certified Professional by the American Heart Association - Telehealth (CPAHA) program
A certification program for healthcare professionals interested in demonstrating a commitment to telehealth.

Virtual Living Room - Using Technology to Address the Critical Healthcare Needs of Veterans in Rural Areas
A grant program that combines rural technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs resources, and local support to provide solutions to improve healthcare access for veterans in rural areas.