Summary
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) distributes billions of dollars annually to health centers, rural health programs, and workforce development initiatives. SAMHSA funds behavioral health services separately. Understanding which agency funds which type of program is the starting point for any healthcare organization seeking federal support in 2026.
HRSA Health Center Program and FQHC Funding
The Health Resources and Services Administration's Health Center Program is the primary federal funding stream for community health centers. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) receive Section 330 grants to provide comprehensive primary care services to underserved populations regardless of ability to pay. In fiscal year 2026, HRSA's Health Center Program budget exceeds $6 billion, supporting over 1,400 health center organizations operating more than 15,000 service delivery sites across all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories.
New organizations seeking to become FQHCs must apply for New Access Point (NAP) funding when HRSA opens a competitive funding opportunity. These competitions are announced on grants.gov and HRSA's website. Existing health centers can apply for Service Area Competition (SAC) grants to continue funding, or for Expanded Medical Capacity grants to add new sites or services. FQHCs also receive enhanced Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates, making the designation financially significant beyond the direct grant award. Organizations must demonstrate that they serve a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) or Medically Underserved Population (MUP) as designated by HRSA.
Rural Health Grants Through HRSA and USDA
Rural communities face persistent healthcare access challenges, and several federal programs specifically target rural health improvement. HRSA's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) administers several grant programs including:
- Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program: Funds consortia of rural health organizations to expand access to care, with awards typically ranging from $150,000 to $300,000 per year over three to four years.
- Small Health Care Provider Quality Improvement Program: Supports rural primary care providers in implementing quality improvement activities, with awards around $200,000 annually.
- Rural Health Network Development Program: Funds formal rural health networks to build organizational capacity and address community health needs.
- Telehealth Programs: HRSA's Office for the Advancement of Telehealth funds telehealth network grants to expand care access in rural and frontier areas.
USDA's Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) program also funds rural healthcare providers with awards up to $1 million to establish or improve telemedicine services, often as a complement to HRSA telehealth funding.
SAMHSA Grants for Substance Use and Behavioral Health
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administers a portfolio of competitive grant programs supporting prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorders and mental illness. Key SAMHSA grant programs active in 2026 include the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant, which provides formula-based funding to all states, and competitive grants such as the Grants to Expand Substance Abuse Treatment Capacity, the Building Communities of Recovery program, and the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) initiative.
SAMHSA's Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model is one of the most significant funding mechanisms for comprehensive behavioral health organizations. CCBHCs receive Prospective Payment System (PPS) reimbursement and can access demonstration grants that significantly increase their operational funding. The CCBHC expansion has been a priority in recent federal budgets, with Congress authorizing additional states to participate in the demonstration program. Organizations interested in CCBHC designation should contact their state mental health authority, as states must apply for the designation on behalf of clinics.
Health Workforce Development Grants
HRSA's Bureau of Health Workforce administers programs that fund training for physicians, nurses, dentists, and other health professionals serving underserved populations. The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) provides loan repayment and scholarships to clinicians who commit to practicing in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). The NHSC Loan Repayment Program awards up to $50,000 (tax-free) to primary care providers who commit to two years of service, with additional years available.
The Nurse Corps Loan Repayment Program provides up to 85% loan repayment to registered nurses and advanced practice nurses who work in Critical Shortage Facilities. HRSA also administers the Teaching Health Centers Graduate Medical Education (THCGME) program, which funds primary care residency training in community-based settings including FQHCs. These workforce programs are particularly valuable to organizations struggling to recruit and retain clinical staff in underserved areas, as they provide a meaningful financial incentive to clinicians in addition to salary.
Maternal and Child Health Grants
HRSA's Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) administers the Title V Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant, which provides formula grants to all 50 states and territories for maternal and child health programs. States must match federal funds at $3 for every $4 in federal dollars. Beyond the block grant, MCHB funds competitive programs including the Healthy Start initiative, which targets areas with high rates of infant mortality and supports comprehensive perinatal care, and the Home Visiting Program, which funds evidence-based home visiting services for at-risk families with young children. The Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program distributes over $400 million annually to states and territories. Organizations interested in implementing home visiting programs should contact their state maternal and child health agency, which manages local subgrant opportunities.