Community Health Center Grants 2026: HRSA Section 330, FQHC Designation & Federal Health Funding

Section 330 Health Center Program

Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act authorizes HRSA to fund health centers serving medically underserved areas and populations. There are four Section 330 program types — organizations can hold multiple designations:

• Community Health Centers (CHC): Serve populations in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) or Medically Underserved Areas (MUAs)
• Migrant Health Centers (MHC): Serve migratory and seasonal agricultural workers and their families
• Healthcare for the Homeless (HCH): Serve individuals experiencing homelessness
• Public Housing Primary Care (PHPC): Serve residents of public housing

Base grant amounts range from $650K to $6M+ per year depending on patient volume, services offered, and location. Annual continuation applications allow existing FQHCs to request budget adjustments.

New Access Points (NAP) — Starting a New FQHC

The New Access Points program is how organizations without existing FQHC status apply to become FQHCs. HRSA releases the NAP NOFO on a competitive basis — not every year. When it opens, organizations must demonstrate:

• The proposed service area has a documented shortage of primary care (HPSA designation or MUA status — verify at hrsa.gov/shortage-areas)
• The organization is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) or public entity
• At least 51% of the board of directors are patients of the health center — this governance requirement is non-negotiable for FQHCs
• The organization has the capacity to provide comprehensive primary care: medical, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy (some services can be provided by referral)
• A strong financial management plan and evidence of organizational capacity

NAP awards: typically $650K–$1.5M/year. Competition is intense — HRSA typically receives 500–800 applications for 100–150 awards. Strong applications have prior experience running community health programs, demonstrated need with census data, and detailed implementation timelines.

FQHC Look-Alike: Designation Without a Grant

The Look-Alike designation grants all FQHC benefits except the Section 330 grant — specifically the Medicare/Medicaid cost-based reimbursement rates and 340B drug pricing. For organizations that don't need or don't qualify for the grant, Look-Alike status is often more valuable than the grant alone:

• No competitive application process — HRSA accepts Look-Alike applications year-round on a rolling basis
• Must meet all FQHC program requirements except the grant source
• Board composition requirement (51% patients) applies
• Enhanced reimbursement rates alone often offset millions in care delivery costs for busy clinics

Supplemental & Expanded Services Grants

Existing FQHCs can apply annually for supplemental funding to add new services or expand capacity. Common supplemental grant types include:

• Behavioral Health Integration: Funding to embed behavioral health clinicians in primary care settings — up to $250K/year
• Oral Health Expansion: Add or expand dental services — up to $250K/year
• COVID-19 Impact Relief: Post-pandemic workforce and infrastructure restoration
• Capital Improvement: Construction, renovation, and equipment through HRSA's Capital Development program