# Illinois RHTP: EMS Enhancement Grants to Resource Hospitals

Grants to EMS Resource Hospitals serving rural patients through the Illinois Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). Funding supports capital and workforce training enhancements to improve EMS service delivery, targeting rural and frontier hospital systems. Year 1 awards are planned for Q2 2026, with required budget obligation by October 30, 2026. The program operates as a formula-based sub-award directly to eligible hospitals through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), as specified in the state's CMS-approved RHTP implementation plan.

## Key facts

- Status: No deadline (noncompetitive; recipients selected by the state)
- Type: GRANT
- Issued by: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) (Illinois)
- Eligible applicants: Public Hospital, Nonprofit Hospital
- How to apply: Formula allocation—no separate application process is anticipated for named sub-awardees per the implementation plan.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://hfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/hfs/info/fedresctr/rhtprogup03092026.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are designated EMS Resource Hospitals serving rural areas within Illinois, as identified and approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

## Requirements

Hospitals must use funding for allowable capital improvements and workforce training to enhance EMS capacity, as specified in the RHTP budget and implementation plan. All funds must be obligated before the end of the budget period (October 30, 2026 for Year 1).

## Application package and source documents

- [IL - 2026 - Illinois RHTP (RHT Program Update (2026-03-09))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/3641eae6-aba4-4ee3-a4a0-0c505c4535d8/file) (primary) — official: https://hfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/hfs/info/fedresctr/rhtprogup03092026.pdf
- [IL - 2025 - Illinois RHT Program (Illinois RHT Program Narrative (Nov 2025 CMS application))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/dd59b451-6c4d-4797-ae2a-a9954ffd356e/file) — official: https://hfs.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/hfs/info/fedresctr/rhtsprogramnarrative.pdf
- [IL - 2026 - ruralhealthtp (Illinois RHT Program Update Briefing (Nov 13 2025, IL General Assembly))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/d32e11a8-37d9-465f-a62f-6116f4b59e12/file) — official: https://hfs.illinois.gov/info/fedresctr/ruralhealthtp.html

More Illinois RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/il (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/il.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/illinois-rhtp-ems-enhancement-grants-to-resource-hospitals--c2032be851 — data as of 2026-09-12.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.