Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement (Virginia Works) · Posted September 21, 2026
Application Due
October 16, 2026
Q&A Deadline
October 2, 2026
Virginia Works RFA #128140 solicits applications for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Earn to Learn Initiative, a competitive, employer-driven workforce training initiative funding the creation and expansion of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in rural allied health occupations across Virginia. Up to $4,679,752.46 in federal funds will be awarded in 2026–27 for workforce development activities including paid on-the-job training, related technical instruction, participant supportive services, and workforce partnerships. Awards, anticipated to range from $500,000 to $1,500,000 for three to seven subrecipients, will support new and expanding Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) for rural healthcare employers and their partners. Supported occupations include (but are not limited to) dental hygienists, sonographers, nurses, radiology techs, and therapy assistants. Requirements include: demonstration of organizational capacity, a project narrative and budget, strict reporting milestones, initial RAP registration within three months of grant start (six months for new-to-RAP organizations), and participant commitment to five years of rural service. Administrative costs may not exceed 10% (no indirect permitted); cost per participant is capped at $13,000. This initiative is a sub-initiative of the RHTP 'Homegrown Health Heroes' strategy, administered by Virginia Works as a subrecipient of Virginia DMAS with CMS funds. Applications are due October 16, 2026, via eVA.
Eligible applicants must: (1) Be a legally organized entity in good standing and capable of receiving federal subaward funding (including healthcare employers/hospital or health system, independent practices, clinics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, Tribal entities, government entities, or workforce intermediaries). (2) Hold active SAM.gov registration with a current Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and have no active exclusions, debarments, or suspensions. (3) Be physically located in, or provide direct services to, rural Virginia communities, using the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) definition for eligibility. (4) Have at least one committed rural healthcare employer partner (or a detailed outreach plan to secure one, if not an employer themselves). Individuals receiving wage or supportive services must agree to a five-year rural service commitment. Ineligible applicants: not current on Virginia tax obligations, not in compliance with required terms and conditions, or who engage in non-compete agreements with healthcare workers. Relocating businesses are ineligible unless operating in Virginia for at least 120 days if relocation resulted in job loss elsewhere; no funds may support relocation resulting in US job loss.
Required attachments
Submit the complete response through the Commonwealth of Virginia eVA procurement system: https://eva.virginia.gov/
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Application Prep
Application #: RFA-RHTP-2026-04
Reference: RHTCMS332088
Program: Virginia Rural Health Transformation Program – Earn to Learn Initiative (Homegrown Health Heroes sub-initiative)
Match: None (0% non-federal funds required)
Performance: October 30, 2026 – September 30, 2027
Key Dates:
Review Criteria:
Portal: https://eva.virginia.gov/
Budget Range
Contact
Program contact
GrantApplications@virginiaworks.gov
Buyer
Princess Banks
Buyer email
princess.banks@virginiaworks.gov
Buyer phone
804-486-2615