Building a Sustainable Rural Healthcare Workforce: Education

Summary

The Rural Health Transformation initiative is a statewide, incentive-based program focused on strengthening rural healthcare systems across South Dakota. Through recruitment incentives and education support—including tiered sign-on bonuses, relocation assistance, rural service stipends, tuition support, paid clinical release, and flexible training—the project aims to build a stable, skilled, and sustainable workforce. The initiative is funded at $62.5 million statewide for FY2026–2031, with $3 million allocated for this specific opportunity. Eligible applicants include licensed healthcare professionals, rural healthcare facilities, tribal health partners, and accredited educational institutions operating within South Dakota. Five-year rural practice service agreements are required for direct education and training awards. The RFP supports expansion of interdisciplinary training and continuing education, rural training pipelines, recruitment and retention aligned to rural needs, and technology-enabled access across the state.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include licensed healthcare professionals, rural healthcare facilities, tribal health partners, and accredited educational institutions located and operating in South Dakota. Applicants must demonstrate capacity for implementing workforce education activities. Direct education/training funds require a five-year rural practice service commitment. Apprenticeship and training funds for the existing workforce must also be tied to five-year service commitments. (Supported by RFP Document, SD Initiative PDF)

Requirements Checklist