CMS Rural Health Transformation Project
Grant Strategy, Writing, & Proposal Support
for Montana Applicants
Grant Support for RHTP 2026
Montana has been awarded $233 million through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The goal of this historic funding is to strengthen rural hospitals, workforce capacity, telehealth infrastructure, and long-term rural health system sustainability. As Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) begins implementing this multi-year federal investment, rural providers and organizations will need thoughtful planning, strategic alignment, and competitive grant development. Montana’s Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is currently finalizing implementation structure, with planned procurements and subrecipient grant opportunities anticipated beginning in late Spring 2026.
Montana’s RHTP funding includes dedicated investments in tribal health infrastructure, school-based services, mobile care delivery, and community-driven health initiatives. Fine Print Grant Services works alongside tribal governments and Indigenous-serving organizations to support culturally grounded program development, federal grant alignment, and competitive applicant positioning. Our approach makes effort to respect sovereignty and emphasizes partnership, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
As a Montana-based grant research, strategy, and proposal development support organization, Fine Print Grant Services is here for organizations preparing to pursue Rural Health Transformation funding.
Understanding Montana’s Rural Health Transformation Implementation
FAQs
The state of Montana received $233M of a total $50B federal initiative to strengthen rural health systems across the nation. The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (MT DPHHS) is responsible for designing and administering Montana's $233M allocation, through a procurement process of offering "subrecipient" grant opportunities. The procurement process is anticipated to begin in late Spring 2026, at which point, eligible organizations will be able to submit applications to compete for a portion of Montana’s allocated funding. That's where we come in.
How will Montana actually use the $233 million in rural health funding?
The funding is not one large grant going to a single hospital or organization. Instead, Montana has outlined five major focus areas that will guide how the money is distributed over the next several years:
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Strengthening the rural health workforce ($21M)
Supporting recruitment, training, and retention of doctors, nurses, EMTs, dental professionals, and other providers serving rural communities.
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Rural facility sustainability ($82M)
Improving financial sustainability for rural hospitals and facilities and expanding telehealth services so patients can access specialists without traveling long distances.
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Supporting innovative care delivery models ($29M)
Advancing value-based care approaches and EMS “treat-in-place” strategies to reduce unnecessary emergency room visits and improve cost efficiency.
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Expanding community-based health access ($56M)
Investing in school-based primary and behavioral health services, mobile care units, tribal health partnerships, and crisis stabilization infrastructure.
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Modernizing health technology systems ($33M)
Upgrading electronic health records and data-sharing tools to improve coordination, reporting, and long-term system sustainability.
+ Administration costs ($12M)
In short, the funding is structured to improve workforce capacity, hospital stability, access to care, and technology infrastructure across Montana’s rural health system, inviting funding of myriad project and organizational types.
When can we start applying for RHTP funding?
Montana DPHHS has indicated that the formal procurement process is anticipated to begin in approximately March 2026. Specific Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and grant announcements will be released as individual initiatives move into implementation.
Fine Print Grant Services currently has availability beginning in May 2026. While procurement timelines are still developing, May remains well within a strategic preparation window for anticipated funding opportunities. Early planning allows time to clarify project scope, strengthen partnerships, align with state priorities, and develop competitive, compliant proposals once announcements are formally released.
Preparing for Montana RHTP Funding?
Get in touch so we can start positioning your organization.