# Ensuring Safety Net Service Delivery Initiative

North Dakota Health and Human Services is launching a competitive RHTP funding opportunity to fill rural behavioral health and safety net service gaps through technical assistance, infrastructure development, equipment, and telehealth expansion. Approximately $15 million in federal funds is available in year one, with about 50 awards expected. Funded projects must serve primarily rural or tribal North Dakota citizens and demonstrate measurable, sustainable improvements in health care access and outcomes.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: GRANT
- Issued by: North Dakota Health and Human Services (North Dakota)
- Posted: 2026-05-01
- Application due: 2026-05-29
- Funding: $300,000 – $15.0M
- Eligible applicants: Nonprofit organizations, Local government agencies, Tribal entities, Healthcare providers
- How to apply: Applications must be submitted electronically through the ND HHS Application Portal.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rhtp/ensuring-safety-net-service-delivery-exclusion.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants must primarily serve rural or tribal North Dakota populations. Additional eligibility details available in Section 3 of the funding guidance.

## Requirements

Applicants must address safety net service delivery gaps, avoid supplanting existing funding, and align projects with technical assistance, infrastructure, equipment, or telehealth expansion. See guidance for budget and reporting requirements.

## Required attachments

- Project narrative
- Budget justification
- Letters of support
- Eligibility documentation

## Application package and source documents

- [ND - 2026 - Ensuring Safety Net Service Delivery Initiative Competitive Funding Opportunity Application Guidance](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/0ba0c002-f471-49ef-8cde-0879fbb48428/file) (primary) — official: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rhtp/ensuring-safety-net-service-delivery-exclusion.pdf

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

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/ensuring-safety-net-service-delivery-initiative--4ab97e21f7 — data as of 2026-08-18.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.