# Recruitment, Innovation, Skills, & Education for Arkansas (RISE AR)

The RISE AR initiative is a core component of Arkansas’s Rural Health Transformation Program, supporting rural health systems through four targeted workforce and leadership strategies: LEAD (Leadership Education, Advancement, and Delivery), PATHWAY (Preparing Arkansas Talent for Health Workforce Advancement Yield), RETAIN, and SKILL-UP. Year 1 projects focus on expanding access, improving quality, enhancing sustainability, data-driven care, and advancing health equity in rural and underserved regions. Example activities include leadership pipeline programs, workforce education, certification pathways, and support for behavioral health and primary care recruitment.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: NOFO
- Issued by: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DF&A) (Arkansas)
- Posted: 2026-06-22
- Application due: 2026-07-24
- Eligible applicants: State health agencies, Hospitals, Clinics, FQHCs, Rural healthcare providers, Nurses, Physician assistants, Behavioral health counselors, Non-credentialed paraprofessionals, Institutions of higher education, Residency/fellowship programs, Academic medical institutions, State Health Department, Rural Hospital, Clinic, FQHC, Nurse, Physician Assistant, Behavioral Health Counselor, Non-credentialed Paraprofessional, Higher Education Institution, Residency Program, Fellowship Program, Academic Medical Institution
- How to apply: Submit via RHTP application portal as described in NOFO instructions: https://arkansasrhtp.com/rise
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://arkansasrhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Arkansas.RISE_AR_NOFO_ADA_FINAL_Preflight.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants include state health agencies, hospitals, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), rural providers, nurses, physician assistants, behavioral health counselors, non-credentialed paraprofessionals, institutions of higher education, residency and fellowship programs, and academic medical institutions. Applicants must demonstrate organizational, operational, and financial capacity compliant with 2 CFR Part 200.

## Requirements

Awardees must submit quarterly progress reports and a final evaluation report. Administrative costs are capped at 5%; salary charges are capped at the federal salary cap. Grantees must comply with all program, financial, and reporting requirements outlined in the NOFO.

## Required attachments

- Quarterly progress reporting template
- Final performance evaluation report
- Detailed project budget
- Proof of organizational eligibility per NOFO instructions

## Application package and source documents

- [AR - 2026 - Recruitment, Innovation, Skills, and Education for Arkansas (RISE AR) Notice of Funding Opportunity](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/b995f667-3bdf-47b3-9dfa-6b18683fc95e/file) (primary) — official: https://arkansasrhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Arkansas.RISE_AR_NOFO_ADA_FINAL_Preflight.pdf
- [AR - 2026 - Arkansas RHTP (arkansasrhtp.com) (Program page)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/9a979696-04a2-4285-bba0-b5a86d4e0eba/file) — official: https://arkansasrhtp.com/
- [AR - 2026 - Arkansas RHTP Award Allocations by Recipient (Year 1 recipient allocation table)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/5c3a0a2e-d98d-4e5f-bb60-3a67a9cf6402/file) — official: https://arkansasrhtp.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/ada_Year-1-Award-totals.pdf
- [AR - 2026 - NYITCOM-Arkansas Receives Two Grants for New Residency Program, EMS Training Initiative (NYITCOM-Arkansas RISE awards announcement)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/0c166d94-4345-427a-b196-2c33a298599d/file) — official: https://www.nyit.edu/news/articles/nyitcom-arkansas-receives-two-rhtp-grants-for-new-residency-program-ems-training-initiative/

More Arkansas RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ar (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ar.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/recruitment-innovation-skills-education-for-arkansas-rise-ar--fdb6c53db2 — data as of 2026-08-11.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.