Mountain State Care Force – Rural Healthcare Apprenticeships

Summary

This opportunity, part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), provides $2 million in Year 1 funding to support West Virginia entities in co-funding paid, entry-level healthcare apprenticeships in rural areas. The program aims to build workforce pipelines for high-need positions (e.g., technicians, EMTs), directly addressing critical rural health workforce shortages through wage and structured training support. Funding is performance-based and tied to employment and retention outcomes. Apprenticeship recipients must commit to a five-year rural service term. Awards will support up to 121 total apprenticeships in Year 1. The opportunity requires submission of a Detailed Line-Item Budget (DLIB) worksheet and a budget narrative as per RHTP DLIB Budget Instructions. Applicant questions are accepted through May 5, 2026, with answers posted publicly.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include entities capable of recruiting, training, and retaining rural healthcare workforce through apprenticeship models in West Virginia. See full Guidance and AFA document for specific eligibility requirements.

Requirements Checklist

• Applications must be submitted via the WVOASIS Vendor Self-Serve Portal, including a Detailed Line-Item Budget (DLIB) worksheet, budget narrative (per RHTP DLIB Budget Instructions), and the Grantee Contact Information Form. Proposals must show capacity to recruit, train, and retain rural healthcare workforce, comply with cost-share/match requirements, and provide for five-year rural service commitments. Applicants must address all applicable cost principles and allowable/unallowable expenses as set forth in the DLIB instructions.