# Illinois RHTP: Expansion of Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Career Pathways Programming

Illinois HFS describes this as a named Rural Health Transformation Program implementation allocation to UIC Area Health Education Center (AHEC) for expansion of career-pathways programming for rural high school students, rather than a public competitive funding opportunity.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: GRANT
- Issued by: Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) (Illinois)
- Posted: 2026-03-09
- Eligible applicants: Academic Institutions, Area Health Education Centers, Named Sub-awardees in State RHTP Plan
- How to apply: Notices of award and budget updates are processed between the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and the named sub-awardee (UIC AHEC) as per RHTP program protocol; submission is not via open competitive application.
- 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 limited to pre-identified sub-recipients named in Illinois’s CMS-approved RHTP implementation plan for Initiative 3.C. For this opportunity, the specified sub-awardee is the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Area Health Education Center (AHEC). This is not a traditional competitive grant program open to wider applicants.

## Requirements

Project must expand Area Health Education Center (AHEC) career pathways programming, specifically targeting rural high school students to bolster rural healthcare workforce pipelines. Funds must be obligated by the end of the budget period (October 30, 2026 for Year 1). Activities should commence Q2 2026. All recipients must adhere to RHTP reporting, evaluation, and compliance obligations outlined in the implementation plan.

## Required attachments

- Project Implementation Timeline
- Budget Justification
- Program Narrative (Per RHTP Plan)

## 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

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-expansion-of-area-health-education-center-ahec-career-pathways-pro--89e0db5f36 — data as of 2026-07-26.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.