# Building a Sustainable Rural Healthcare Workforce: Education

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.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFP
- Issued by: South Dakota eSM Solutions Posting Board (South Dakota)
- Posted: 2026-05-22
- Application due: 2026-06-05
- Funding: $3.0M
- Eligible applicants: Licensed Healthcare Professionals, Rural Healthcare Facilities, Tribal Health Partners, Educational Institutions
- How to apply: Online submission via South Dakota eSM Solutions Posting Board: https://postingboard.esmsolutions.com/3444a404-3818-494f-84c5-2a850acd7779/eventDetail/19816
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://postingboard.esmsolutions.com/3444a404-3818-494f-84c5-2a850acd7779/eventDetail/19816

## 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

Solicitation Number: 26RFP-26-09RHT-019. Applicants must provide a proposal narrative, budget justification, letters of commitment (if applicable), and proof of eligibility. Proposals must address workforce education programs, rural recruitment/retention, and evidence-based training aligned with statewide healthcare goals.

## Required attachments

- Proposal Narrative
- Budget Justification
- Letters of Commitment (if applicable)
- Proof of Eligibility

## Application package and source documents

- [SD - 2024 - Building a Sustainable Rural Healthcare Workforce: Education](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/17c0396e-ccf1-4bdd-92f1-6baa04555b11/file) (primary) — official: https://doh.sd.gov/media/w1deh0ld/rht-building-a-sustainable-rural-health-workforce.pdf

More South Dakota RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/sd (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/sd.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/building-a-sustainable-rural-healthcare-workforce-education--e877518e27 — data as of 2026-06-15.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.