# Workforce Retention Funding for Critical Access Hospitals and Clinics

Workforce retention funding specifically for Critical Access Hospitals and their owned and operated clinics in North Dakota. Part of the Strengthen and Stabilize Rural Health Workforce pillar of ND's RHTP five-year plan.

## Key facts

- Status: Closed
- Type: RFA
- Issued by: North Dakota Health and Human Services (ND HHS) (North Dakota)
- Funding: $20,000 – $100,000
- Eligible applicants: Critical Access Hospital, Clinic Owned by Critical Access Hospital
- How to apply: Online portal
- Funding source: Rural Health Transformation Program (CMS)
- Official source: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation/funding

## Eligibility

Eligible applicants are Critical Access Hospitals and their owned and operated clinics located in rural North Dakota. Applicants must directly serve rural communities; entities in Grand Forks, Fargo, West Fargo, and Bismarck are generally excluded unless at least 50% of the population served is North Dakota rural residents or funding is focused on rural citizens.

## Requirements

Applicants must provide documentation verifying Critical Access Hospital status or ownership/operation of a clinic by a CAH in North Dakota. Applicants must register in SAM.gov and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) prior to contract execution or payment. Use of funds must directly address workforce retention for rural health transformation. Funds must not supplant existing resources and must align with North Dakota's Rural Health Transformation Program and federal guidance.

## Required attachments

- Proof of Critical Access Hospital status (e.g., CMS certification)
- Clinic ownership documentation
- Workforce retention plan
- UEI number (or evidence of SAM.gov registration)

## Application package and source documents

- [ND - 2026 - RHT Funding Opportunities (Source listing page)](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/7217deaa-8ff6-498f-9d09-c0d31497eb77/file) (primary) — official: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/rural-health-transformation/funding
- [ND - 2026 - RHTP Technical Assistance for School-Based Wellness Equipment – July 1, 2026](https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/api/documents/2c6abee1-9239-4a95-9d8f-95827fd5a5c9/file) — official: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/sites/default/files/documents/rhtp/20260707-school-based-wellness-equipment-TA-call.pdf

More North Dakota RHTP activity: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/nd (markdown: https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/states/nd.md)

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Source: Rural Care Journey (RCJ), https://www.ruralcarejourney.com/opportunities/workforce-retention-funding-for-critical-access-hospitals-and-clinics--0ee31f9f3d — data as of 2026-07-27.
Cite the RCJ page for the summary and the linked official source for authoritative terms, deadlines, and amounts.