# The Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 1 (Part 2): Make Rural Texans Healthy Again

The Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 1 (Part 2): Make Rural Texans Healthy Again supports multiple competitive awards to public and private rural hospitals for community-based prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs. The official RFA states an estimated total pool of $153,524,850 and a maximum award of $5,000,000 per applicant.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFA
- Issued by: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) (Texas)
- Posted: 2026-05-04
- Questions due: 2026-05-18
- Application due: 2026-06-04
- Funding: $5.0M
- Eligible applicants: Rural Hospital
- How to apply: Applications must be submitted electronically via the HHS Grants Management System (GMS) External Portal: https://hhsgrant.hhs.texas.gov/ (see Exhibit J in the RFA for detailed user instructions and account setup).
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://resources.hhs.texas.gov/rfa/hhs0017223

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are rural Texas hospitals as defined in Section II (Scope of Grant) of RFA HHS0017223. Rural hospitals must serve rural residents and may use funding to develop or expand qualifying prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs addressing chronic diseases as outlined in the RFA. For detailed eligibility criteria, see Section 3.1 of the RFA and Texas Government Code Section 548.0351(6-b).

## Requirements

Applicants must submit all required documentation and forms as outlined in Section VIII (Application Organization and Submission Requirements) and Section XIII (Submission Checklist) of RFA HHS0017223. Projects must implement at least one allowable implementation method described in Section 2.3.1, targeting chronic conditions such as diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, or chronic respiratory disease. Applications must be submitted electronically via the HHS Grants Management System (GMS) External Portal by the posted deadline. Grantees must comply with relevant state and federal regulations, participate in required meetings and technical assistance, and complete all grant-funded activities by September 30, 2031.

## Required attachments

- Completed Application Forms (see Section XIII, Submission Checklist)
- Proof of Eligibility
- Project Narrative
- Work Plan
- Executive Summary
- Budget
- Sustainability Plan
- Budget Justification
- Administrative Applicant Information
- Certifications and Affirmations
- Letters of Commitment and Support
- Contract and Litigation History
- Financial Management and Administrative Questionnaire
- Quote/Estimate/Cost Estimate Documentation

## Application package and source documents

- [TX - 2026 - Exhibit J, Grants Management System (GMS) External Portal Information - RFA No. HHS0017223](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/5427a785-a891-45d8-ab81-5f65bda586fe/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000nzJ80AAE
- [TX - 2026 - Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 1 (Part 2): Make Rural Texans Healthy Again (RFA No. HHS0017223) (Application template)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/2832ce5d-7417-42eb-a9e2-39c4d5bd06fc/file) (primary) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000nzTk2AAE
- [TX - 2026 - Request for Applications No. HHS0017223 – Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 1 (Part 2): Make Rural Texans Healthy Again](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/2bf994d6-114e-41bf-a003-ff30b1414c49/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000oh3HDAAY
- [TX - 2026 - The Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 1 (Part 2): Make Rural Texas Healthy Again](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/c9409920-176e-4b68-a7d7-a70d32d15510/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000ogFe9AAE
- [TX - 2026 - The Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 1 (Part 2): Make Rural Texans Healthy Again](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/a298f08c-5598-4ee0-963b-7c38b3670d1d/file) — official: https://resources.hhs.texas.gov/rfa/hhs0017223
- [Texas === Exhibit B, HHS UTCs-Grant V3.5.pdf === RHTP 2024 Guidance](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/05cf4e6c-f568-4f83-b172-ad6627448cbe/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000nzWlAAAU
- [TX - 2031 - Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 1 (Part 2): Make Rural Texans Healthy Again](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/2a29cae0-aa73-4eab-a69d-95b57da535be/file) — official: https://pfd.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-hlth-prgm/smple-contrct-initves-att-a-b.zip#zip-entry=Initiative%201.2%20Att%20A%20Scope%20of%20Grant%20Project%20SAMPLE.pdf&sha256=595afa316f77
- [TX - 2026 - Contract Routing and Execution Instructions for Awardees (Awardee contract execution - Contract Routing and Execution Instructions (HHSC))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/c8d67dac-b0ac-4f49-a136-395f9c2c9245/file) — official: https://pfd.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-hlth-prgm/cntrct-rout-exec.pdf
- [TX - 2026 - Docusign Grant Agreement Example (Awardee contract execution - Docusign grant agreement example (HHSC))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/fdc4ceee-8954-4163-9c6f-25c67bedb797/file) — official: https://pfd.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-hlth-prgm/docusign-grant-agree-exmple.pdf
- [TX - 2026 - Sample Contract_Initiatives Att A and B (Awardee contract execution - Sample contract, Initiatives Attachments A and B (ZIP))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/e42a43f6-b98a-4fce-8e3d-6d0fec6a09cf/file) — official: https://pfd.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-hlth-prgm/smple-contrct-initves-att-a-b.zip
- [TX - 2026 - Sample Initiatives_Att C to J (Awardee contract execution - Sample contract, Attachments C to J (ZIP))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/e5d74e27-7b38-4172-bddf-7edd52b4e748/file) — official: https://pfd.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-hlth-prgm/smple-contrct-initves-att-c-j.zip

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

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/the-rural-texas-strong-program-initiative-1-part-2-make-rural-texans-healthy-aga--ee2e81ac4b — data as of 2026-08-11.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.