# Utah RISE Initiative 2.3: Grow Our Own Rural Health Pipeline

Funds community-based programs that begin career exposure at the K-12 level and create structured pathways from high school to certification, credential, or degree in healthcare occupations, building a sustainable rural healthcare workforce. Part of Utah's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) RISE (Recruit, Incentivize, Support, Empower) workforce initiative, federally funded and administered by Utah Board of Higher Education, Talent Ready Utah (TRU), and CMS through DHHS.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFA
- Issued by: Utah Board of Higher Education / Talent Ready Utah (TRU) / Utah Department of Health and Human Services (Utah)
- Posted: 2026-09-11
- Application due: 2026-10-29
- Funding: $20.0M
- Eligible applicants: USHE postsecondary institutions, Accredited private nonprofit colleges/universities in Utah, Local education agencies/school districts, Tribal Nations located in Utah, Utah rural healthcare providers, Nonprofits with rural workforce-development or healthcare-education experience, Utah-based 501(c)(3) health organizations
- How to apply: Application via official DHHS online submission portal; see RFP and FAQ for details and link.
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://dhhs.utah.gov/ruralhealth/funding-opportunities/

## Eligibility

Consortium model required: Must include at least one Education/Training Partner (capable of delivering the relevant training) and one Rural Healthcare Employer/Provider Partner in a rural Utah county (committed to clinical placement, apprenticeship, or hiring completers). Eligible LEAD applicants include: USHE postsecondary institutions, accredited private nonprofit colleges/universities in Utah, local education agencies/school districts (for 2.3 only), Tribal Nations in Utah, Utah rural healthcare providers, and nonprofits with demonstrable experience in rural workforce development or healthcare education. Programs must primarily serve individuals in rural Utah counties (excluding Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, and Weber counties). Utah-based 501(c)(3) health organizations also eligible with partnerships and relevant compliance.

## Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate a consortium partnership structure, program design that spans K-12 to postsecondary education, healthcare career alignment, detailed work plan and timeline, budget justification, rural service focus, and measurable outcomes. Minimum one education/training partner and one rural health employer/provider required. Subawards limited to eligible rural regions.

## Required attachments

- Lead Applicant Institution Documentation
- Consortium Partnership Letters/MOUs
- Proposed Budget and Justification
- Work Plan/Timeline
- Staffing Plan
- Resumes (Key Personnel)
- Evidence of Rural Focus

## Application package and source documents

- [UT - 2026 - funding opportunities (3f6dc2) (Utah RHTP Funding Opportunities table)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/e270c0e3-f2e1-4286-b31a-52c202792f5c/file) — official: https://dhhs.utah.gov/ruralhealth/funding-opportunities/
- [UT - 2026 - RISE Initiative 2.3 Grow Our Own Rural Health Pipeline RFP (RISE 2.3 Request for Proposals)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/a33b93d5-4633-414c-841f-2af73b7c11fe/file) (primary) — official: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EpkCIk-cjZPeQBXcJosu2j27r0kL84h-/view
- [UT - 2026 - RISE RHTP 2.3 & 2.4 Frequently Asked Questions V2 (RISE 2.3 & 2.4 Frequently Asked Questions)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/a80e98ad-22ef-4736-a4cd-ffcfb32768ef/file) — official: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_47NHMd8-IIXZxfLwaxJXAuXE3Bvp9Oi/view

More Utah RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ut (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/ut.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/utah-rise-initiative-2-3-grow-our-own-rural-health-pipeline--d930efb0c7 — data as of 2026-10-30.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.