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Banner that says North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Program A five-year, statewide strategy to: strengthen rural health care and make ND the healthiest state in the nation

Our commitment

We are taking bold, practical steps to improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans. Our goal is simple – healthier people, stronger communities and a rural health system built to last.

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Funding Opportunities

Explore grants and other funding opportunities to help make North Dakota the healthiest state in the nation.

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Employment Opportunities

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Lead Agency: North Dakota Health and Human Services | Total Investment & Timeline: $199 million for 2026

Why this matters

North Dakota’s rural health system is under growing strain. Workforce shortages, financially fragile facilities, widening outcome gaps for tribal and frontier communities and fragmented technology threaten access to care close to home. Plus, people in rural areas often experience higher rates of chronic diseases.

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) is North Dakota’s comprehensive, statewide roadmap to stabilize today’s system, build a more sustainable, modern rural health future and prevent diabetes, heart disease and stroke and other chronic diseases. Through four key initiatives, the program focuses on long-term solutions to help make North Dakota the healthiest state in the nation.

graphic stating more than 1 in 4 North Dakota adults report no physical activity in the past month.

graphic stating more than 1 in 3 adults in North Dakota are obese, a major risk factor for heart disease, diabetes and chronic conditions.

Timeline

Nov. 2025 - Jan. 2026

Submission deadline November 5. ND HHS submitted November 3.
ND HHS Provider Readiness Survey November 2025
Awardee decisions by December 31
Anticipated release of subawards opportunities January 2026

Award Information

All awards will require an agreement between HHS and the entity awarded funds.
Award process will include a mechanism to ensure funding is prioritized relative to impact to communities in need and/or tribal and rural/frontier communities. HHS intends to limit administrative burden on applying for awards. All awards will require reporting and monitoring in compliance with federal guidance. Subawards will be released on a rolling basis.

What we’re working to achieve

Rebuild and retain a rural health workforce

Increase rural provider retention
Reduce health professional shortages
Expand remote monitoring and AI-assisted care

Prevent chronic disease, restore health and reduce costs

Increase physical activity and reduce obesity
Reduce chronic disease
Prevent depression, anxiety and suicide

Bring high-quality care closer to home

Expand telehealth and remote monitoring use
Increase access to preventive services and screenings
Improve timeliness of care

Gain efficiency with modern technology and data

Modernize and connect health data systems
Increase transparency
Create savings through shared infrastructure and cooperative purchasing

How North Dakota will use the funds

Strengthen and stabilize rural health workforce

New rural residencies and training programs
Grow-your-own workforce pipelines
Recruitment and retention grants
Training to help providers work at the top of their license

Make North Dakota healthy again

Launch Eat Well ND and ND Moves Together
Expand evidence-based nutrition, physical activity and behavioral health strategies
Align care models and payment approaches to sustain long-term health improvements

Bring high-quality health care closer to home

Expand telehealth hubs, mobile clinics and remote patient monitoring
Reduce reliance on scarce physical workforce
Improve care coordination and timeliness
Support sustainability by diversifying revenue sources and right-sizing care delivery models

Connect technology, data and providers for a stronger ND

Modernize health technology infrastructure
Improve secure data sharing
Support shared systems that reduce costs and improve care

graphic stating more than 1 in 3 adults in North Dakota have high blood pressure.

graphic stating nearly 18% of North Dakota high school students considered attempting suicide.

graphic stating More than 1 million people in the U.S. die each year from cardiovascular disease and diabetes — conditions largely linked to preventable risk factors.

graphic stating Never smoking, physical activity, healthy weight and healthy diet appear to lower the risk of developing major chronic diseases by about 80%.

graphic stating Strong social connections are associated with up to a 30% lower risk of major cardiovascular diseases.

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