# South Dakota Rural Strong Grant

South Dakota Rural Strong Grant (RFP# 26-09RHT-001) is part of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) led by the South Dakota Department of Health. The grant provides up to $31,750,000 for the first budget period, supporting operational and strategic planning, service line expansion, care coordination infrastructure, and workforce support for rural healthcare providers. Eligible applicants are Medicaid-enrolled hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), tribal 638 clinics, behavioral health clinics, and dental clinics. Allowable fund uses include expansion of services, infrastructure improvements, strategic partnerships, and minor renovations (excluding new construction/major remodeling). Proposals must include sustainability plans and detail activities in line with program goals. Financial incentives must be tied to a minimum five-year service commitment. Reporting is required monthly and annually. Awarded $31.5M to 28 of 79 applicants (announced 7/23/2026).

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFA
- Issued by: South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) (South Dakota)
- Posted: 2026-04-02
- Questions due: 2026-04-23
- Letter of intent due: 2026-04-16
- Application due: 2026-05-22
- Funding: $200,000 – $31.8M
- Eligible applicants: Hospitals, FQHCs, RHCs, Tribal 638 Clinics, Behavioral Health Clinics, Dental Clinics
- How to apply: Electronic submission via SFTP folder; applicants must request a folder by 2026-05-21. Proposals must follow stated format and include required exhibits and budget templates.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://sdaho.org/2026/04/02/new-rural-strong-grant-opportunity-for-south-dakota-providers/

## Eligibility

Medicaid-enrolled hospitals, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), Rural Health Clinics (RHCs), tribal 638 clinics, behavioral health clinics, and dental clinics. Applicants outside rural areas must demonstrate benefit to rural South Dakotans.

## Requirements

Applicants submit proposals for operational planning, service expansion, infrastructure, strategic partnerships, care coordination, and workforce support. Funding excludes new construction/major remodeling; minor renovations related to program goals allowed with CMS approval. Proposals must detail activities, sustainability, and alignment with program goals, with a minimum five-year service commitment for incentive-supported positions. Reporting required monthly and annually.

## Required attachments

- State RFP Form (signed)
- Exhibit A: Use of Funds and Limitations
- Exhibit B: Quick Answers
- Exhibit C: Rural Strong Grants Template Guide
- Exhibit D: Budget Template

## Application package and source documents

- [SD - 2026 - New “Rural Strong” grant opportunity for South Dakota providers](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/fe8401ac-e45e-4405-bcb4-18a7d15a90c3/file) (primary) — official: https://sdaho.org/2026/04/02/new-rural-strong-grant-opportunity-for-south-dakota-providers
- [SD - 2026 - South Dakota Digital Health Modernization And Technology Grant Program RHTP 2026 Reference](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/b7b729e6-a9f3-4c5a-b3e4-15bbfb8df163/file) — official: https://doh.sd.gov/media/yeajycsi/rht-funding-forecast.pdf
- [SD - 2026 - Digital Health Modernization and Technology Grant Program RFP Document-3.pdf](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/430986b5-2f2a-45c2-aade-7eb733b242aa/file) — official: https://doh.sd.gov/media/dw2b1tic/rht-funding-forecast.pdf
- [SD - 2026 - RHT Project](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/ce15ead3-9229-424e-a66c-72b0f3060ea4/file) — official: https://doh.sd.gov/media/itwhye3v/rht-funding-forecast.pdf
- [SD - 2026 - RHT project (rural-health-transformation-project) (Official South Dakota RHTP program page)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/1bf1dfbc-238d-4e22-9a88-0e9547c1cbf9/file) — official: https://doh.sd.gov/healthcare-professionals/rural-health/rural-health-transformation-project
- [SD - 2026 - In this section RHTP (SD DOH RHTP page — award announcement (28 grants, $31.5M))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/e86f1302-ca49-4140-8fbf-4c9f80dac60e/file) — official: https://doh.sd.gov/healthcare-professionals/rural-health/rural-health-transformation
- [SD - 2026 - Gov. Rhoden Awards Rural Health Transformation Project Grants (Official Rural Strong award announcement)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/b053f8b3-2cf1-4f00-b91c-581b999d1ab7/file) — official: https://news.sd.gov/news?id=news_kb_article_view&sys_id=0a2599cd47d6cf10da219464336d439a

More South Dakota RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/sd (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/sd.md)

---
Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/south-dakota-rural-strong-grant--2c172419f7 — data as of 2026-07-23.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.