# The Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 6 (Part 1): Infrastructure and Capital Investments for Rural Texas The Rural Texas Strong Initiative 6 (Part 1) provides up to $70,432,073.50 from the federal CMS RHTP for infrastructure and capital investments in rural Texas healthcare facilities. $20 million is prioritized for facilities supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Funded activities include facility upgrades, equipment purchases, emergency preparedness, and workforce-related renovations. Up to 75 awards may be made. This RFA provides grant funding to eligible rural healthcare providers in Texas for capital investments, infrastructure upgrades, and equipment purchases designed to strengthen rural healthcare access, quality, and sustainability. $70.4 million in total funding is available, with $20 million prioritized for intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) providers. Applicants must submit all required materials by the stated deadline for screening and evaluation. This grant opportunity funds rural healthcare providers in Texas to strengthen and modernize rural healthcare delivery through infrastructure, facility upgrades, and capital equipment investments. It aims to improve access, quality, and sustainability of care in rural communities, with a prioritization of funding for intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) providers. Total funding available is over $70 million, with up to 75 awards anticipated. ## Key facts - Status: Closed - Type: RFA - Issued by: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) (Texas) - Posted: 2026-04-30 - Questions due: 2026-05-13 - Application due: 2026-06-10 - Funding: $2.0M - Eligible applicants: Rural healthcare providers, Facilities serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Rural Hospital, Rural Health Clinic, Federally Qualified Health Center, Behavioral Health Provider, Home and Community-Based Services Provider, Public Health Office, Clinic, Physician Clinic, Intermediate Care Facility, IDD Provider, TxHmL Provider, LIDDA, Other rural healthcare entities, Home and Community-based Services Provider, Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Provider, Early Childhood Intervention Program, Texas Home Living Provider - How to apply: Online via HHSC Grants Portal (https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/Grants/FundingOpportunity?id=a0Fcr000005S7A9EAK) HHS Grants Portal (external grant management system) HHS Grants Portal (Grant Management System) - Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS) - Official source: https://resources.hhs.texas.gov/rfa/hhs0017220 ## Eligibility Eligible applicants are rural healthcare providers as defined by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, including facilities providing services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. See RFA Section II for full details. Eligible applicants include rural hospitals, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, behavioral health providers, home and community-based services providers, public health offices, clinics, physician clinics, intermediate care facilities, IDD providers, TxHmL providers, LIDDAs, and other rural healthcare entities as defined in Section 3.1. Eligible applicants include rural hospitals, rural health clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, physician clinics, public health offices, behavioral health providers, home and community-based services providers, IDD providers, Early Childhood Intervention programs, Intermediate Care Facilities, and Texas Home Living providers located in rural Texas. See Section 3.1 for details. ## Requirements Applicants must submit all required documentation as detailed in Section VIII (Application Organization and Submission Requirements) and Section XIII (Submission Checklist) of the RFA by the posted deadline. Projects must invest in infrastructure, equipment, or workforce improvements in rural healthcare facilities. Applicants must comply with all applicable state and federal rules outlined in the RFA. Submit application and all required forms/exhibits via HHS Grants Portal. Provide detailed project narrative, work plan, sustainability plan, and cost estimate/quote documentation. Include a categorical budget and administrative information. Affirm all certifications and comply with federal/state requirements under 2 CFR Part 200. Complete all grant-funded activities by September 30, 2028. Applicants must submit a completed application package by the deadline. Projects must involve infrastructure upgrades, facility renovations, capital equipment purchases, or related workforce and emergency preparedness improvements. Grantees must comply with ADA and federal requirements for minor renovation activities. Required reports include finalized work plan, financial status reports, performance reports, and supporting documentation. All funded activities must be completed by September 30, 2028. ## Required attachments - Application forms as listed in Section XIII, Submission Checklist of the RFA - Proof of eligibility - Project budget - Project narrative - Project Narrative - Budget Justification - Work Plan - Sustainability Plan - Quote/Estimate/Cost Estimate Documentation - Administrative Applicant Information - Certifications and Affirmations - Applicant Information - Proposed Budget - Affirmations and Certifications ## Application package and source documents - [TX - 2026 - Rural Texas Strong Initiative 6: Infrastructure and Capital Investments for Rural Texas (Part 1) (RFA No. HHS0017220)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/34ba65e9-ee2e-49bd-b283-c0a99504e207/file) (primary) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000nglGBAAY - [TX - 2026 - Texas Skip To Main An Official Texas Health And Human Services Website. RHTP 2026 (Funding detail landing page)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/dc42b8b3-8a57-4a02-b9d1-a4f8ffa42776/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/Grants/FundingOpportunity?id=a0Fcr000005S7A9EAK - [TX - 2026 - The Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 6 (Part 1): Infrastructure and Capital Investments for Rural Texas](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/d672268e-def1-453d-a3b9-1f2a766313f8/file) — official: https://resources.hhs.texas.gov/rfa/hhs0017220 - [TX - 2026 - Request for Applications No. HHS0017220 – Rural Texas Strong Program Initiative 6: Infrastructure and Capital Investments for Rural Texas](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/a632dd47-8fd0-4b2f-ae54-a9232277e052/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000oO1FtAAK - [TX - 2026 - Rural Texas Strong Program Intent to Award List (as of Oct. 29, 2026) (Rural Texas Strong Initiative 6 intent-to-award source)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/aef79b19-f90a-4e73-9b99-b41dc023c870/file) — official: https://pfd.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rural-hlth-prgm/2026/10-29-2026-list-award-recipients.xlsx - [Texas RFA HHS0017220 Exhibit I RHTP 2025 Reference](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/6bf90b6c-c719-44ec-a479-56ac5e6328fd/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000ngs38AAA - [Texas RFA No HHS0017220 Exhibit B-1 RFA No. HHS0017220 RHTP Guidance](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/f797c661-9719-42c0-acda-f5505b2098af/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000ngnkyAAA - [Texas RFA No. HHS0017220 RHTP 2026 Document](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/151633a2-0bcd-499c-859c-42e9ff8ff298/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000nhHauAAE - [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) --- Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/the-rural-texas-strong-program-initiative-6-part-1-infrastructure-and-capital-in--2e3cf57ddd — data as of 2026-06-15. Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.