# Rural Health Transformation Program 2026: Building Rural Hospital Capacity The Rural Health Transformation Program 2026: Building Rural Hospital Capacity provides up to $1.46 million per eligible rural hospital—with the possibility of additional funds if available—for projects that modernize infrastructure, expand telehealth and remote patient monitoring, strengthen workforce skills, and implement innovative care models to serve uninsured and underinsured rural New Jersey residents. The total program funding pool is $19 million. Hospitals must propose activities serving target populations in federally, state, or Rural Ruggedness Scale (RRS)-designated rural areas, as specified in Appendices A, B, and C of the RFA. Awarded projects may include equipment and technology purchases, workforce training, care coordination enhancements, and upgrades to digital health and EMR systems (EMR and indirect/administrative costs each capped at 5%). Grantees must submit monthly expenditure and quarterly progress reports. Funds may not be used for services reimbursable by Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. All funding is contingent on appropriations from Section 71401 of Public Law 119-21 (OBBBA); no cost-sharing or match is required. The first annual project and budget period is March 1, 2026 – October 30, 2026. ## Key facts - Status: Closed - Type: RFA - Issued by: New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Health Care Financing (New Jersey) - Posted: 2026-01-26 - Application due: 2026-02-17 - Funding: $1.5M - Eligible applicants: Public Acute Care Hospital, Nonprofit Acute Care Hospital - How to apply: Online via SAGE Grants Portal - Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS) - Official source: https://healthapps.nj.gov/noticeofgrant/documents/OHCF26RHC_rfa.pdf ## Eligibility Eligibility is limited to Acute Care Hospitals (ACH) operating programs or proposing activities serving uninsured and underinsured individuals within designated rural counties or census tracts in New Jersey as defined by federal, state, or Rural Ruggedness Scale (RRS) criteria. Eligible counties are: Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, Cumberland, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean, Salem, Sussex, Warren, and ten RRS-identified census tracts in Bergen, Hudson, Morris, and Passaic counties. Only listed ACHs physically located in these areas, as specified in Appendices A, B, and C of the RFA, may apply. Funds may only be used for activities that primarily benefit uninsured and underinsured individuals. ## Requirements Applicants must submit a project proposal addressing at least one of the following objectives: (1) modernize hospital infrastructure, including digital systems and telehealth; (2) support workforce recruitment, professional development, and/or retention; (3) increase accessibility to hospital services (e.g., through mobile units, telehealth, remote monitoring); (4) create or expand nutrition programs. Proposals must align activities to benefit uninsured and underinsured rural residents. Purchase or upgrades of EMR and indirect/administrative expenses each have a 5% cap. Grant funds may not be used for any services reimbursable by Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance. Adherence to NJDOH reporting, fiscal, and compliance requirements is mandatory, including monthly expenditure and quarterly progress reporting. ## Required attachments - Project and Budget Submission Form (Appendix F) - Personnel and Schedule A Detail - Narrative Proposal - Proof of Eligibility (see Appendices A/B/C as applicable) ## Application package and source documents - [NJ - 2026 - RHTP 2026: Building Rural Hospital Capacity Request for Applications (RFA) (Primary solicitation document)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/55e67c7f-006e-41c3-a5b2-df0170e778f1/file) (primary) — official: https://healthapps.nj.gov/noticeofgrant/documents/OHCF26RHC_rfa.pdf - [NJ - 2026 - RHTP 2026: Building Rural Hospital Capacity Request for Applications (RFA) (njrht-2026-rfa-building-rural-hospital-capacity)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/381123b4-539d-4a64-967d-6b0767fe9f6e/file) — official: https://nj.gov/rural-health-transformation/documents/njrht-2026-rfa-building-rural-hospital-capacity.pdf - [NJ - 2026 - RHTP Funding Allocations – July 31, 2026 (NJ statewide funding allocations report — Building Rural Hospital Capacity section)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/20cf2ebd-6128-458f-b3dc-84317316fe77/file) — official: https://nj.gov/rural-health-transformation/documents/njrht-funding-allocations-2026.pdf More New Jersey RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/nj (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/nj.md) --- Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/rural-health-transformation-program-2026-building-rural-hospital-capacity--306f48f9bc — data as of 2026-09-10. Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.