Education and Training of the Rural Healthcare Workforce – Funding & Opportunities

Summer Health Professions Education Program
A free summer enrichment program designed to improve access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Feb 5, 2026
Sponsor: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

YouthBuild Grants
Grants to organizations providing pre-apprenticeship services that support education, occupational skills training, and employment services for youth, ages 16 to 24, while performing meaningful work and service to their communities. The YouthBuild program model contains wrap-around services such as transportation, childcare, and housing. Applications from rural, urban, and Native American communities have been funded in the past.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Application Deadline: Mar 2, 2026
Sponsors: Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor

NRHA Rural Hospital HR Certification Program
A hospital leadership and certification program for rural hospital human resource professionals.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Application Deadline: Apr 23, 2026
Sponsor: National Rural Health Association

Tribal Undergraduate to Graduate Research Training and Leadership Experiences (TURTLE) Program (UE5 and T32/T34)
Funding for tribal entities to support educational activities that complement and/or enhance the training of a workforce to meet the nation's biomedical, behavioral and clinical research needs.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Application Deadline: Jan 25, 2027
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health

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

Geographic coverage: Nationwide
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: American Heart Association, The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust

NRHA Rural Health Nurse Certification Program
A leadership and certification program for current rural nurses.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: National Rural Health Association

NRHA Rural Hospital CEO Certification Program
A rural hospital leadership and certification program for current and future rural hospital CEOs.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. territories
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: National Rural Health Association

NRHA Rural Hospital CFO Certification Program
A leadership and certification program for current Chief Financial Officers of rural hospitals.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: Center for Rural Health Leadership, National Rural Health Association

NRHA Rural Hospital CMO/Physician Leader Certification Program
A rural hospital leadership and certification program for rural hospital physician leaders and Chief Medical Officers (CMOs).

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsor: National Rural Health Association

NRHA Rural Hospital CNO Certification Program
A leadership and certification program for current Chief Nursing Officers of rural hospitals.

Geographic coverage: Nationwide and U.S. Territories
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
Sponsors: Center for Rural Health Leadership, National Rural Health Association