# Rooted and Resilient Rural Maryland: Transformation through Sustainable Access, Innovative Care, and Tech Innovation RFA

Flagship competitive RFA under Maryland RHTP Pillar 2 combining three Transformation Funds (Sustainable Access through Service Expansion and HIT Advances; Behavioral Health Service Expansion; and Innovative Care) into a unified opportunity. Funding will support innovative, sustainable projects to expand access, implement advanced care models, and leverage technology for rural health improvement throughout Maryland. Eligible projects must address transformative change aligning with CMS principles of choice and competition. Approximately $73 million is anticipated for awards under this RFA in Budget Period 1, as part of a broader multi-year program aiming for significant transformational impact in rural health.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFA
- Issued by: Maryland Department of Health (MDH) and Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) (Maryland)
- Posted: 2026-04-21
- Application due: 2026-05-26
- Funding: $73.0M – $168.2M
- Eligible applicants: Nonprofit organizations, Hospitals, Health care organizations, Local government agencies
- How to apply: Applications must be submitted electronically via the Maryland Department of Health Application Portal as instructed in the RFA.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://health.maryland.gov/pophealth/Documents/Rural%20Health/RHTP/MD-RHTP-Pillar-2-Transformation-RFA.pdf

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are organizations capable of implementing projects in rural Maryland that advance sustainable access, behavioral health service expansion, or innovative care aligned with RHTP Pillar 2 objectives. Specific eligible entities include health care organizations, hospitals, non-profits, local government agencies, and other entities as defined in the RFA.

## Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete application with project narrative, budget, required forms and supporting documentation as specified in the RFA. Proposals must detail how the project addresses one or more Pillar 2 focus areas, demonstrate measurable impact, and comply with reporting and performance monitoring requirements.

## Required attachments

- Project Narrative
- Detailed Budget Justification
- Organizational Chart
- Letters of Support (if applicable)
- Required Forms as detailed in the RFA

## Application package and source documents

- [MD - 2026 - Maryland RHTP (MD-RHTP-Pillar-2-Transformation-RFA) (Pillar 2 Transformation RFA)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/dff1d625-446a-4974-a0d7-4ce96b742d4a/file) (primary) — official: https://health.maryland.gov/pophealth/Documents/Rural%20Health/RHTP/MD-RHTP-Pillar-2-Transformation-RFA.pdf

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

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/rooted-and-resilient-rural-maryland-transformation-through-sustainable-access-in--8bd0741015 — data as of 2026-08-18.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.