# TX - 2026 - Request for Application: HHS0017223

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 1 (Part 2): Make Rural Texans Healthy Again provides funding to rural Texas hospitals to enhance or create community-based programs focused on prevention, wellness, and nutrition services. The program requires applicants to select from eight approved project implementation methods designed to improve health outcomes for rural Texas residents, including chronic disease prevention, wellness centers, after-hours clinics, and food access activities. No match requirement; program aims to improve rural health and sustainability.

## Key facts

- Status: Archived
- Type: RFA
- Issued by: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (Texas)
- Posted: 2026-05-04
- Questions due: 2026-04-28
- Application due: 2026-06-04
- Funding: $25.0M
- Eligible applicants: Rural Hospital
- How to apply: Electronic submission only via HHSC Grants Management System (GMS) External Portal: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/Grants/
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://resources.hhs.texas.gov/rfa/hhs0017223

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are rural hospitals located in Texas, legally authorized to conduct business in the state, and able to implement at least one of eight authorized project methods to enhance or establish community-based prevention, wellness, and nutrition programs. Applicants must submit applications using the GMS External Portal by the specified deadline. Refer to Section II of the RFA HHS0017223 for full eligibility requirements.

## Requirements

Applicants must submit complete applications electronically via the HHSC Grants Management System (GMS) External Portal by June 4, 2026, 10:30 AM CT. Required documentation includes all forms and exhibits specified in the Solicitation package. Projects must implement at least one of eight authorized methods (see Section II of RFA), demonstrate capacity for prevention and wellness activities, and comply with program reporting and deliverable requirements. Renovation limitations, project prohibitions, and deliverables listed in RFA apply.

## Required attachments

- Solicitation response form
- Requested Budget
- All exhibits and forms specified in the Solicitation package

## Application package and source documents

- [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) (primary) — official: https://resources.hhs.texas.gov/rfa/hhs0017223
- [TX - 2026 - Rural Texas Strong Program – Initiative 1 (Part 2): Make Rural Texans Healthy Again (RFA No. HHS0017223)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/2832ce5d-7417-42eb-a9e2-39c4d5bd06fc/file) — official: https://hhsgrant.my.site.com/sfc/servlet.shepherd/version/download/068cr00000nzTk2AAE
- [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 - 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
- [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

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/tx-2026-request-for-application-hhs0017223--da0f54f8c7 — data as of 2026-06-21.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.