# Mississippi RHTP: Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) – EmPATH Units Grant Opportunity

Mississippi's Rural Health Transformation Program is seeking proposals to expand psychiatric emergency services in rural communities through EmPATH units. The official funding page publishes the NOFO, public questions-and-answers, a recommended supply list, and the live application link.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: NOFO
- Issued by: Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) – Rural Health Transformation Program (BRIDGE initiative) (Mississippi)
- Posted: 2026-07-15
- Application due: 2026-08-17
- Funding: $14.0M
- Eligible applicants: Hospitals meeting HRSA rural eligibility criteria, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs)
- How to apply: Apply online via https://apply.mississippirhtp.com/program-info/3596748f-997f-f111-ab0e-70a8a5b02d7a. Official materials and updates are posted on https://mississippirhtp.com/funding/.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MS-RHTP-PES-EmPATH-Units-NOFO.07.14.26ADAPreflight.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are Mississippi-located hospitals meeting either HRSA rural eligibility criteria or possessing Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation.

## Requirements

Applicants must propose the development of an EmPATH Unit serving as a regional psychiatric emergency services facility. Proposals must include: a start-up budget (covering one-time costs such as renovations, equipment, technology/EHR modifications, staff recruitment/training), an operating budget (documenting ongoing staff and operational costs), and a billing strategy. All funded activities must comply with 2 CFR Part 200 and 2 CFR Part 300, procurement and audit requirements (including Single Audit compliance), and state/federal laws. Indirect and administrative costs must not exceed 5% of the award; per-employee salaries are capped at the federal salary limit ($225,700). Funds are provided strictly on a reimbursement basis.

## Required attachments

- Proposal narrative
- Start-up budget
- Operating budget
- Billing strategy documentation
- Proof of HRSA rural eligibility or CAH designation
- Signed assurances

## Application package and source documents

- [MS - 2026 - Notice of Funding Opportunity: Psychiatric Emergency Services – EmPATH Units Grant Program (PES-EmPATH NOFO)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/42f5e180-a2d0-4b9b-99ee-8049c96dc718/file) (primary) — official: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MS-RHTP-PES-EmPATH-Units-NOFO.07.14.26ADAPreflight.pdf
- [MS - 2026 - Ms RHTP Public Question And Answer Period Psychiatric Emergency Services (PES) (Public Q&A)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/04b487c0-f14b-4344-8ed3-33b5aa1f396f/file) — official: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PES-Public-Questions-FINALPF.pdf
- [MS - 2026 - View the Recommended Supply List (Recommended supply list)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/5167187a-11d7-4936-8c9e-8587a9fcb974/file) — official: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Recommended-Supply-List-PES-ADAFINAL.pdf
- [MS - 2024 - Applications are Now Live for Workforce Expansion Initiative, Psychiatric Emergency Services - EmPATH Units, and EMS Capacity Assessment RFP (Applications Now Live bulletin (WEI, EmPATH, EMS Capacity Assessment))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/559bea3c-59c4-4561-8f97-fff0a20a118b/file) — official: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WEI-NOFO.710.26ADAPrefilght.pdf.
- [MS - 2025 - Applications are Now Live for the Following Initiatives: Workforce Expansion Initiative (WEI), Psychiatric Emergency Services - EmPATH Units, and EMS Capacity Assessment RFP (Applications Now Live bulletin, 2025 copy (WEI, EmPATH, EMS Capacity Assessment))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/9238d73a-75be-4e2d-87dc-6ec140a4dcc1/file) — official: https://mississippirhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/WEI-NOFO.710.26ADAPrefilight.pdf.

More Mississippi RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ms (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ms.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/mississippi-rhtp-psychiatric-emergency-services-pes-empath-units-grant-opportuni--508d5b26f6 — data as of 2026-08-18.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.