Iowa Department of Health and Human Services · Posted July 14, 2026
Application Due
September 1, 2026
LOI Deadline
August 10, 2026
Q&A Deadline
August 17, 2026
the Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS-RHT-26-001) as part of Iowa's Hometown Connections Initiative, with up to $209,040,063.71 available through September 30, 2031. First-year anticipated funding is $38,591,059, with annual renewals and possible amendments subject to CMS/HHS approval and Agency discretion. Performance of grantees/subcontractors is subject to annual review by the Agency, compliance checks, and availability of funds.
- Option 1 (Statewide Hub): Public, private, nonprofit, for-profit, academic institution, or governmental entity; Level III/IV Iowa Maternal Care Hospital (IAC 641–150.6 as of July 14, 2026); physically located in Iowa; must have been open and providing services in Iowa as of January 1, 2026, and at application. - Option 2 (Expand Hub Capacity): Same as above, but must be Level I hospital in Rural Iowa, intending to upscale to Level II; must show documentation of equivalent resources if not currently participating in Perinatal Health Care (Ch. 150 IAC) and attest to join the program if awarded; must identify Level II and Level III/IV referral hubs. - Option 3 (Networks of Spokes): Networks of 3–5 Level I/II Iowa Maternal Care Hospitals (IAC 641–150.6 as of July 14, 2026), all in Rural Iowa, open since Jan 1, 2026; all within 60 miles of two others (except border counties: within 60 miles of one other); network must list at least one referral hub (need not be in-network or in Iowa; only Iowa-based entities may receive funds); lead entity applies and executes subcontracts. - All: Applicants (including all network members) must be Iowa-registered, providing eligible maternal health services by Jan 1, 2026, and at application deadline; must submit mandatory LOI and all legally executed agreements with application. - Special TA Contract Rule: Awardees holding TA contracts under RFP# COMPADM26002/26003 must submit signed NDAs/COI screening agreements for relevant staff with LOI.
Required attachments
Electronic submission via IowaGrants (https://iowagrants.gov/) by September 1, 2026, 12:00 PM noon (local Iowa time). Mandatory LOI sent by email to melanie.mathes@hhs.iowa.gov (cc: shannon.garland@hhs.iowa.gov) by August 10, 2026. If applicable, signed NDAs/COI screening agreements are also sent to these emails by the LOI deadline.
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Application Prep
Key Dates: Application Due: September 1, 2026
Budget Range
Contact
HHS Issuing Officer
Melanie Mathes (melanie.mathes@hhs.iowa.gov)
cc
Shannon Garland (shannon.garland@hhs.iowa.gov)
IowaGrants Helpdesk
iowagrants.helpdesk@hhs.iowa.gov
Phone
1-866-520-8987 (8am–4pm CST weekdays, excluding state holidays)