Key Takeaways
- HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau distributes $700M+ annually through Title V and competitive grants
- US maternal mortality rate is the highest among wealthy nations — federal investment is bipartisan and growing
- Black maternal mortality crisis has made equity-focused maternal health grants a federal priority in 2026
- Eligible applicants: state agencies, FQHCs, hospitals, nonprofits, tribal organizations, and academic institutions
- Rural maternal health is a specific priority — rural hospitals and critical access hospitals have dedicated funding streams
Summary
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations — a crisis that has made maternal health one of the most consistently funded areas in federal health grants. In 2026, HRSA, CDC, SAMHSA, and multiple other agencies fund maternal health programs through formula grants, competitive awards, and block grants. Key priorities include reducing Black maternal mortality (which is 2.6× higher than white maternal mortality), expanding rural access, and scaling evidence-based interventions like doula services, home visiting, and collaborative care models.
Major Federal Maternal Health Grant Programs
Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (HRSA)
The cornerstone of federal maternal and child health investment. Title V distributes approximately $700 million annually to all 50 states and territories on a formula basis. States must use at least 30% for maternal health and at least 30% for children with special healthcare needs. States then sub-award competitively to local organizations. Contact your state health department's MCH (Maternal and Child Health) division to access Title V sub-grants.
HRSA Maternal Health — Alliance for Innovation in Maternal Health (AIM)
AIM funds hospitals and state-level quality collaboratives to implement evidence-based patient safety bundles for obstetric emergencies (hemorrhage, hypertension, sepsis). Awards support implementing specific clinical protocols that have been shown to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Primarily hospital and clinical applicants. Apply through HRSA when competitive NOFOs are published.
CDC — Maternal Mortality Review to Action (MMRIA)
CDC funds state maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) to systematically review pregnancy-associated deaths, identify preventable factors, and implement quality improvement initiatives. Awards go to state health departments. If your organization is a community partner of a state MMRC, you may access sub-grants for specific interventions identified through the review process.
HRSA — Rural Maternal and Obstetric Care
Specifically targets rural hospitals, critical access hospitals, and rural health clinics experiencing obstetric care deserts. Funds telehealth for rural maternal care, obstetric workforce development, and collaborative care models. Priority: communities where hospitals have closed labor and delivery units. Awards: $250K–$2M. Check HRSA's rural health grant page for current opportunities.
Healthy Start Program (HRSA)
Community-based program specifically targeting racial and ethnic disparities in infant and maternal mortality. Healthy Start grantees provide care coordination, home visiting, interpersonal violence screening, and social services referrals to at-risk pregnant and postpartum women and infants. Awards: $1M–$3M per year. Open to nonprofit community-based organizations, FQHCs, and hospitals.
Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV)
HRSA administers $400M+ annually for evidence-based home visiting programs for at-risk pregnant women and families with young children (Nurse-Family Partnership, Healthy Families America, Parents as Teachers, and others). States receive formula allocations and sub-award to local implementing organizations. Contact your state's MIECHV lead agency for sub-grant opportunities.
Maternal Health Grant Programs Overview 2026
| Program | Agency | Typical Award | Eligible Applicants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title V MCH Block Grant | HRSA | Via state sub-grants | State health depts > local orgs |
| Healthy Start | HRSA | $1M–$3M/yr | Nonprofits, FQHCs, hospitals |
| MIECHV Home Visiting | HRSA | Via state allocation | Home visiting agencies |
| AIM Patient Safety | HRSA | $500K–$3M | Hospitals, state collaboratives |
| Rural Maternal Care | HRSA | $250K–$2M | Rural hospitals, CAHs, RHCs |
| CDC MMRIA | CDC | $200K–$500K | State health departments |
| SAMHSA Perinatal Mental Health | SAMHSA | $500K–$2M | States, nonprofits, FQHCs |
| Indian Health Service MCH | IHS | Formula to tribes | Tribal health programs |
Priority Focus Areas for 2026
- Black maternal health equity — reducing the 2.6× mortality gap is a priority across HRSA, CDC, and CMS
- Postpartum care extension — Medicaid postpartum coverage extended to 12 months; programs supporting the 4th trimester are funded
- Doula and midwifery integration — growing evidence base makes these high priority for HRSA grants
- Telehealth for rural maternal care — specific HRSA and FCC programs fund maternal telehealth in rural and underserved areas
- Perinatal mental health — SAMHSA funds screening and treatment programs for perinatal depression and anxiety
- Obstetric care deserts — rural communities that have lost hospital labor and delivery services are a priority for new HRSA programs
How to Find Maternal Health Grants
- Contact your state health department's MCH division — most Title V and MIECHV funds flow through states first
- Search Grants.gov for CFDA numbers: 93.994 (MCH Services), 93.511 (MIECHV), 93.926 (Healthy Start)
- Monitor HRSA.gov/grants — HRSA is the primary federal funder of maternal health programs
- Check CDC's Program Announcements at cdc.gov/grants for CDC maternal health NOFOs
- If you're a tribal health program, contact your IHS Area Office for MCH funding specific to tribal communities