# Workforce Innovation Grant: Healthcare Employment, Access, and Rural Transformation (WIG:HEART)

The Workforce Innovation Grant: Healthcare Employment, Access, and Rural Transformation (WIG:HEART) funds competitive regional and partnership-based grants for innovative projects addressing healthcare workforce challenges in rural and semi-rural Wisconsin communities. The program supports recruitment and retention of clinical staff, expansion of health education pathways (including nursing, mental health, and allied health fields), training partnerships, wrap-around services for low-income and underrepresented groups, regional care innovation (such as micro-clinics and telehealth), and technology adoption. Eligible lead applicants are nonprofits and governmental entities serving eligible rural counties; awards range from $500,000 to $10 million for up to four years. Annual renewals are contingent on performance. Activities must directly address workforce gaps and transformative care delivery models aligned with priorities outlined in the Grant Program Announcement.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: GRANT
- Issued by: Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) (Wisconsin)
- Posted: 2026-06-29
- Application due: 2026-08-17
- Funding: $500,000 – $10.0M
- Eligible applicants: Nonprofit, Governmental Entity
- How to apply: Online portal submission via https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/det/heart/apply/ (see official announcement and program website for direct application link).
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/det/heart/

## Eligibility

Eligible lead applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and governmental entities located in and providing services to one or more of the counties identified as rural or semi-rural in the target area map (see Grant Program Announcement, page 3). Entities may submit multiple applications as lead when representing distinct partnerships; cumulative awards per lead are limited to $10 million. Sub-recipients and project partners may be from any public, private, or nonprofit sector. All applicants and partners must complete the Exhibit 5: Due Diligence Checklist and Pre-Award Risk Assessment.

## Requirements

Applicants must propose multi-year project plans that address explicitly documented rural health workforce gaps; submit all required exhibits (budget templates for all years, project timeline, W-9, due diligence checklist, letters of commitment, indirect cost agreement if applicable); comply with all state/federal rules (including 2 CFR 200, 45 CFR 156.400, and SSA Section 2105(c) limitations); and engage local partners serving the rural target area. Minor renovations cannot exceed 20% of budget per year; EMR/EHR replacement is capped at 5% per year if a prior HITECH-certified system is in place; and construction/certain categorized expenses are disallowed. Annual performance reviews determine continued funding.

## Required attachments

- Exhibit 1: Budget – Year 1
- Exhibit 2: Budget – Years 2 to 4
- Exhibit 3: Timeline
- Exhibit 4: W-9 Form
- Exhibit 5: Due Diligence Checklist and Pre-Award Risk Assessment
- Exhibit 6: Letters of Commitment
- Exhibit 7: Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (if applicable)

## Application package and source documents

- [WI - 2026 - Image Secretary's Welcome (Program overview webpage)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/1e92c5a1-7df9-47ab-88ee-5d71bedf89b8/file) — official: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/det/heart
- [WI - 2024 - RHTP Healthcare Workforce Grants Now Open!](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/097d058f-7612-4b40-a931-18200bc54c8c/file)
- [WI - 2026 - WIG: HEART Program Rubric](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/ebb450d6-9c23-4b6b-bb30-909872f11e2e/file) — official: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/det/heart/documents/WIG-HEART-Scoring-Rubric.pdf
- [WI - 2026 - EXHIBIT 5: Due Diligence Checklist and Pre-Award Risk Assessment](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/87e3aed2-cd49-4f46-9958-60363491a7e7/file) — official: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/forms/dws/pdf/det-20170-4-e.pdf
- [WI - 2026 - Workforce Innovation Grant: Healthcare Employment, Access, and Rural Transformation Program Grant Program Announcement June 29, 2026 (WIG:HEART Grant Program Announcement)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/bd0d9d40-17f8-41e9-9755-398bcc04b5a3/file) (primary) — official: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/det/heart/documents/WIG-HEART-General-Program-Announcement.pdf
- [WI - 2026 - Exhibit 1: Budget - Year 1 (WIG:HEART Exhibit 1: Budget - Year 1)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/b40b2541-3f9c-4220-93dd-248dac69057c/file) — official: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/forms/dws/xls/det-20170-1-e.xlsx?20260629
- [WI - 2026 - Exhibit 2: Budget - Years 2 to 4 (WIG:HEART Exhibit 2: Budget - Years 2 to 4)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/00e3ccad-88ed-4ccd-ac79-ddc505b56a97/file) — official: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/forms/dws/xls/det-20170-2-e.xlsx?20260629
- [WI - 2026 - Exhibit 3: Timeline (WIG:HEART Exhibit 3: Timeline)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/c1bfe0b2-89b9-402b-b3c9-c9e393eef1d2/file) — official: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/dwd/forms/dws/xls/det-20170-3-e.xlsx?20260629
- [WI - 2026 - WIG: HEART Grant Program Announcement (WIG:HEART Frequently Asked Questions)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/a249530e-45ee-4372-b2bb-52f00702e4cf/file) — official: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/det/heart/faqs.htm
- [WI - 2026 - workforceinnovationgrantreport health services (Successful WIG Healthcare Awards Report)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/860333ac-0bf0-458a-a92e-43896a58c102/file) — official: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/det/heart/documents/workforceinnovationgrantreport-health-services.pdf
- [WI - 2026 - RHTP Advisory Council July 23, 2026](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/b332eaad-0776-4990-a729-234816c6f936/file) — official: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/rhtp/rhtpac-presentation260723.pdf
- [WI - 2027 - Close all Open all (WI DHS RHTP hub page (lists the WIG:HEART grant))](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/65616f48-983c-4aa0-92ec-6a82a725202d/file) — official: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/business/rhtp.htm

More Wisconsin RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/wi (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/wi.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/workforce-innovation-grant-healthcare-employment-access-and-rural-transformation--d044979cc9 — data as of 2026-08-18.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.