# 2026 Rural Capital Project Care Gap Closure Grant Program (RCGC)

The Mississippi State Department of Health Rural Capital Project Care Gap Closure Grant Program (RCGC) provides Program Year 1 capital funding for facility renovations, infrastructure projects, equipment, service-capacity expansion, and operational improvements that close documented rural healthcare gaps. The amended NOFO lists $28.5 million available and anticipates approximately 20–30 awards, with individual awards described as up to $3 million. Telehealth, cybersecurity, EHR, broadband, new construction or major building expansion, lobbying, provider payments, and other prohibited costs are excluded.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: NOFO
- Issued by: Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) (Mississippi)
- Posted: 2026-06-15
- Application due: 2026-07-15
- Eligible applicants: Hospitals, Physician practices (including solo practitioners), Rural health clinics (RHCs), Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), Local health departments, Native American Sovereign Tribe healthcare facilities, Certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs), Substance use disorder (SUD) facilities, Dental care services, Licensed long-term care facilities
- How to apply: Submit through the online Mississippi RHTP application portal; upload required narrative/supporting documents as PDF and the budget using the provided Microsoft Excel template.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ada_2026-MS-RCGC-Program-NOFO-Version-2-061726.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are Mississippi-located hospitals, physician practices (including solo practitioners), rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, local health departments, Native American Sovereign Tribe healthcare facilities, certified community behavioral health clinics, substance use disorder facilities, dental care services, and licensed long-term care facilities located in rural areas or serving rural populations. An organization need not be physically located in a rural area, but its proposed activities must meaningfully benefit rural Mississippi. The NOFO defines rural using counties with fewer than 50,000 residents, fewer than 500 people per square mile, or municipalities with populations under 15,000. Awardees must possess or obtain a UEI, FEIN, and Mississippi MAGIC Vendor Number and participate in the statewide Health Information Exchange.

## Requirements

Submit a complete application through the Mississippi RHTP online portal with all required PDF attachments and the Microsoft Excel budget template. The project must align with the applicable NOFO objectives, document a meaningful rural benefit, include measurable outcomes, an implementation workplan, project-management and sustainability plans, and an allowable, non-duplicative budget. Indirect and administrative costs may not exceed 5% of the award. Funds must be obligated by October 30, 2026, and project costs incurred by July 31, 2027.

## Required attachments

- Completed online application
- PDF project narrative and required supporting documents
- Microsoft Excel budget template

## Application package and source documents

- [MS - 2026 - Notice Of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Rural Capital Project Care Gap Closure Grant Program (RCGC) (Initial NOFO — superseded by June 23 amendment)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/000ca383-71c0-4314-aec1-398b447a9e85/file) — official: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-MS-RCGC-Program-NOFO-061026-ADA-Final-PREFLIGHT-1.pdf
- [MS - 2026 - Mississippi State Department of Health - Notice of Funding Opportunity - Rural Capital Project Care Gap Closure Grant Program (Amended NOFO — June 23, 2026 (current controlling source))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/3cb44fde-f98c-405b-a148-be4e7253a6f2/file) (primary) — official: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ada_2026-MS-RCGC-Program-NOFO-Version-2-061726.pdf
- [MS - 2027 - Mississippi Rural Capital Project Care Gap Closure Grant Program (RCGC) Application Instructions (Grant application and instructions)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/8638eca6-eca2-4926-a6b0-edae87bbbb2a/file) — official: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/RCGC-Grant-Application-061026-ADA-Final-PREFLIGHT-1.pdf
- [MS - 2026 - Building Rural Infrastructure for Delivery, Growth & Efficiency - Mississippi RHT Program (RCGC initiative overview page)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/3459e249-a9c8-48e7-8dcd-4615160f8d1e/file) — official: https://mississippirhtp.com/bridge
- [MS - 2025 - Completed Procurements – Mississippi Division of Medicaid](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/a5c6b30d-1e34-45fa-af67-93354d64d38b/file) — official: https://medicaid.ms.gov/resources/procurement/completed-procurements
- [MS - 2026 - Governor Reeves Announces 167 RHTP Awards (First-round award announcement — 167 Mississippi RHTP awards)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/0e4033b8-e597-41af-9d9b-1fd7cab9d989/file) — official: https://governorreeves.ms.gov/governor-reeves-announces-167-rural-health-transformation-program-awards-totaling-more-than-104-million/

More Mississippi RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ms (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ms.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/2026-rural-capital-project-care-gap-closure-grant-program-rcgc--40e1abdb2c — data as of 2026-09-01.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.