Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program – FY2026

Summary

The FY2026 Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program provides competitive funding to eligible small nonprofit rural hospitals in Minnesota for modernization projects such as updating, remodeling, or replacing hospital facilities and equipment to maintain hospital operations. Applicants must demonstrate need, align projects with strategic or capital improvement plans, and show collaboration with other healthcare entities. Awards are prioritized for hospitals that have not received recent grants and support projects advancing health equity.

Eligibility

An eligible applicant is a non-federal, general acute care hospital in Minnesota that is located in a rural area (as defined by federal Medicare regulations) or in a community with fewer than 15,000 people outside the seven-county metropolitan area, has 50 or fewer beds, and is not for profit. Health care entities with multiple eligible locations may submit up to three distinct applications, and hospital networks or consortia may submit single applications for projects involving eligible hospitals.

Requirements Checklist

• Submit application through the ORHPC Online Grants Portal by deadline.
• Provide evidence of competitive bidding for contractors.
• Include Project Narrative, Budget & Budget Narrative, audited financial statements, construction/equipment documentation, Due Diligence Form, strategic/capital plans, and Conflict of Interest Disclosure.