# Rural Health Workforce Pipeline: Pathways, Upskilling, and Retention (Round 2)

The Rural Health Workforce Pipeline: Pathways, Upskilling, and Retention (Round 2) RFP funds major investments in developing, upskilling, and retaining healthcare professionals in Ohio’s rural counties. This initiative, part of the Ohio Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), prioritizes integrated workforce pipelines, education partnerships, work-based learning, and retention incentives. Applicants must address workforce shortages, chronic disease, and sustainable rural healthcare through collaboration with schools, colleges, employers, and health facilities. Service commitments in RHTP sites and upskilling strategies are strongly encouraged. Funding is aligned with federal CMS priorities under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Section 71403 of Public Law 119-21).

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFP
- Issued by: Ohio Department of Health (Ohio)
- Posted: 2026-01-20
- Application due: 2026-03-10
- Eligible applicants: Rural health providers, Local health districts, Nonprofit organizations, Other entities serving rural Ohio, MBE-certified suppliers
- How to apply: Online submission via OhioBuys Supplier Portal at https://ohiobuys.ohio.gov/page.aspx/en/bpm/process_manage_extranet/50412 as directed in RFP DOH59715.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/rural-health-transformation-program/solicitation-invitations

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants include rural health providers, local health districts, nonprofit organizations, and other entities serving rural Ohio. For this MBE set-aside solicitation, only bidders/suppliers with an active MBE certification as of the solicitation close date may submit a response. Refer to RFP DOH59715 for full categorical eligibility and counties of focus.

## Requirements

Applicants must submit a complete application as outlined in RFP DOH59715 via the OhioBuys Supplier Portal. Attendance at the bidders conference (1/13/2026, 1:30 p.m.) is recommended, not required. All technical, administrative, and cost proposal requirements are detailed in the RFP, including workforce planning milestones, reporting, incentives for recruitment and retention, and project evaluation.

## Required attachments

- Completed application forms as detailed in RFP DOH59715
- Cost Proposal Form (see DOH59715-RHT-SFY26-27-Ohio_Rural_Health_Workforce_Pipeline-Cost_Proposal_Form.xlsx)

## Application package and source documents

- [OH - 2024 - Rural Health Workforce Pipeline: Pathways Upskilling and Retention RFP Round 2 (Source listing page)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/b587605d-d806-47e6-afa3-9c88909655ee/file) (primary) — official: https://ohiobuys.ohio.gov/page.aspx/en/bpm/process_manage_extranet/50412
- [OH - 2026 - RHTP Solicitation Invitations (954abb)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/3a062484-8e33-4d14-8f01-868b805e9d24/file) — official: https://odh.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odh/know-our-programs/rural-health-transformation-program/solicitation-invitations
- [OH - 2026 - RHTP Solicitation Invitations (solicitation-invitations__;!!KvtSB511fA!ISu0jHZi5RY3jHWZ9R8RZc4d5LFZ2w4i_tK47JC6V_0I5gesmO2ESUDZFbzoLM7fPoC929A-9EnVJ7wg)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/501bddc8-2da4-43a2-bd16-7153ec06847f/file) — official: https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/rural-health-transformation-program/solicitation-invitations__;!!KvtSB511fA!ISu0jHZi5RY3jHWZ9R8RZc4d5LFZ2w4i_tK47JC6V_0I5gesmO2ESUDZFbzoLM7fPoC929A-9EnVJ7wgegw9oDjC-iW8HMjJ7FU$
- [OH - 2026 - RHTP Solicitation Invitations (b92fbe)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/ef2bc717-ff50-4654-8625-5972b64dafd5/file) — official: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/rural-health-transformation-program/solicitation-invitations
- [OH - 2026 - Ohio Governor DeWine Announces First RHTP Award to Ohio University (Gov. DeWine Announces First RHTP Award to Ohio University (0M))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/516bde29-343d-4739-a1ba-4e4e0f651772/file) — official: https://governor.ohio.gov/media/news-and-media/governor-dewine-announces-first-rural-health-transformation-program-award-to-ohio-university-for-10-million
- [OH - 2026 - RHTP Solicitation Invitations](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/46fcb878-6559-4289-a31f-6de1133751a8/file) — official: https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/rural-health-transformation-program/solicitation-invitations/solicitation-invitations

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

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/rural-health-workforce-pipeline-pathways-upskilling-and-retention-round-2--55a995389f — data as of 2026-10-25.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.