# DOH61365 SFY27 Rural Hospital Peer Group Funding Opportunity

Ohio Department of Health’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), authorized by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71403 of Public Law 119-21), is offering a one-time, equally divided total of $30,304,539 to eligible hospitals in the rural peer group (per OAC 5160-2-05, excluding those in non-statewide state directed payment programs per 42 CFR 438.6 or Am. Sub. HB 96). This funding supports rural hospital sustainability and participation in clinically integrated networks or rural health hubs. Allowable uses include IT system improvements, workforce and clinical initiatives, integration or formation of networks, quality improvement, behavioral health, specific infrastructure upgrades (excluding new construction), and other activities aligning with CMS RHTP priorities. Recipients must: (1) attend/review the 6/29/2026 pre-application session, (2) submit a letter of interest affirming commitment to RHTP goals and allowable uses, and (3) submit a categorized budget sheet by the deadlines. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis and must be fully expended by 6/30/2027. See Attachment A for hospital eligibility and Attachments B/C for specific use and admin cap details.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFA
- Issued by: Ohio Department of Health (Ohio)
- Posted: 2026-06-16
- Questions due: 2026-06-26
- Letter of intent due: 2026-07-07
- Application due: 2026-08-19
- Funding: $30.3M
- Eligible applicants: Hospitals classified in the rural peer group per OAC 5160-2-05 and listed in Attachment A, Not participating in a non-statewide state directed payment program (42 CFR 438.6, Am. Sub. HB 96)
- How to apply: Submit Letter of Interest and Categorized Budget Sheet via email to procurement@odh.ohio.gov in accordance with instructions in the solicitation document. All materials must be received by required deadlines. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/about-us/funding-opportunities/sfy-27/doh61365-rht

## Eligibility

Hospitals must: (1) Be classified in the rural peer group per Ohio Administrative Code 5160-2-05, and (2) Not participate in any approved or pending non-statewide state directed payment program as set forth in 42 CFR 438.6 or Am. Sub. HB 96 (136th Ohio General Assembly). For eligible entities, see Attachment A in the solicitation.

## Requirements

1) Pre-application information session participation or review (06/29/2026, Microsoft TEAMS) is mandatory. 2) Submit a Letter of Interest by 3:00 PM on 07/07/2026. 3) Submit a Categorized Budget Sheet by 3:00 PM on 08/19/2026 (processed as received, but not before acceptance date). 4) All applicant inquiries must be emailed to procurement@odh.ohio.gov during the inquiry period (06/15/2026–06/26/2026, 3:00 PM deadline). 5) Recipients must commit to joining or forming a rural healthcare hub or clinically integrated network by September 30, 2027. 6) Quarterly reporting on progress and expenditures is required. Funds are dispersed on a reimbursement basis.

## Required attachments

- Letter of Interest (per Attachment D template)
- Categorized Budget Sheet (per Attachment E)

## Application package and source documents

- [OH - 2026 - DOH61365 SFY27 Rural Hospital Peer Group Funding Opportunity (Archived source page snapshot)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/d21b56a5-082d-4d9b-ba7c-665e20a7fb63/file) — official: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/about-us/funding-opportunities/sfy-27/doh61365-rht
- [OH - 2026 - RHTP Solicitation Invitations (b92fbe) (RHTP solicitation invitations listing page)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/ef2bc717-ff50-4654-8625-5972b64dafd5/file) — official: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/rural-health-transformation-program/solicitation-invitations
- [OH - 2027 - Rural Hospital Peer Group Funding Opportunity (ODH solicitation invitation email (2026-06-16))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/3beef2e9-3ed4-42ba-8846-87c2c9760dcd/file)
- [OH - 2026 - DOH61365 SFY27 Rural Hospital Peer Group Funding Opportunity (DOH61365+RHT+-+SFY27+-+Rural+Hospital+Peer+Group+Funding+Opportunity)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/57ab44a0-d903-4e8c-88df-da0571a3a14c/file) (primary)
- [OH - 2026 - OH - RHTP Application Preparation Resources (doh61365-rht)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/91092a3e-cae8-4778-b6e5-e2133ab1227e/file) — official: https://odh.ohio.gov/about-us/funding-opportunities/sfy-27/doh61365-rht
- [OH - 2026 - RHTP: Healthier Ohio Community-Level Chronic Disease Prevention and Management (RO27) Applications (10/1/2026-9/30/2027)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/9638cbca-bc34-4f6a-ad97-02dae3ed86df/file) — official: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/6815d521-1bb9-441a-a219-479246728d25/RO27+Healthier+Ohio+Community-Level+Chronic+Disease+Prevention+and+Management+Continuation+Solicitation.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url&CACHEID=ROOTWORKSPACE.Z18_JQGCH4S04P41206HNUKVF31000-6815d521-1bb9-441a-a219-479246728d25-p-LGXYS
- [OH - 2027 - DOH61365 SFY27 Rural Hospital Peer Group Funding Opportunity (Letter of Intent Template)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/4342d7a1-9bcf-47f3-81c8-b37988750b16/file) — official: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/37d52a56-8e0c-41b2-aa9b-d15bf5cfdbc4/ATTACHMENT+D+Letter+of+Intent+Template.docx?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url
- [OH - 2026 - DOH61365 Categorized Budget Sheet (Categorized Budget Sheet)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/1517bdf4-ceed-463f-ad44-fca278ad9e9a/file) — official: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/wcm/connect/gov/eb6eb912-4a63-4012-9a1b-0a6415a46304/DOH61365-+Categorized+Budget.xlsx?MOD=AJPERES&CONVERT_TO=url

More Ohio RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/oh (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/oh.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/doh61365-sfy27-rural-hospital-peer-group-funding-opportunity--2234baacf5 — data as of 2026-08-19.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.