| Read this in your browser. January 22, 2026 What's New Webinar: Federal Rural Definitions – TODAY – Thursday, January 22 at 1:00 pm Eastern. Experts from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) will provide a brief history of the definition(s) of rural at the federal level and why it matters to communities. Changes to rural areas, as identified by FORHP with their most recent data update in September 2025, will be highlighted. The webinar is hosted by the Rural Health Information Hub, where recent webinars are archived for later viewing. HRSA Announces New Cervical Cancer Screening Guidelines. This month, FORHP's parent agency announced updated cervical cancer screening guidelines that include a new option for women to self-collect samples for screening. Additionally, the guideline includes new language requiring most insurance plans to cover any additional testing needed to complete the screening process for malignancies. Recent research shows a rate of cervical cancer that is 25 percent higher in rural areas; the same study found the rate of cervical cancer deaths is 42 percent higher. Funding and Opportunities Denali Commission Rural Transportation Match and Gap Funding Assistance Program – February 13. The Denali Commission is an independent federal agency designed to provide critical utilities, infrastructure, and economic support throughout Alaska. They expect to make eight awards, each up to $1 million, to cover local match needs or address funding gaps for transportation projects in rural communities across the state. Institute of Museum and Library Sciences – Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program – March 13. The IMLS is an independent federal agency that provides funding, grants, research, and policy support to advance learning, cultural heritage, and community access to information. For this program that aims to recruit, educate, and retain the next generation of library professionals, organizations may apply for several different projects ranging from planning to applied research to community-centered implementation. According to IMLS research, almost four in ten of America's public libraries are located in rural communities, where they extend access to health information and a wealth of other resources. Rural Health Research Research in this section is located on the HRSA/FORHP-supported Rural Health Research Gateway. Sign up to receive alerts when new publications become available. Indian Health Service and Health Care Affordability Issues Among American Indian/Alaska Native People by Rurality. This policy brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center examines rural/urban differences in rates of health care affordability and IHS use among AI/AN people, as well as within rural AI/AN residents. Access to Health Care by Rurality and Disability Status. People with disabilities face challenges with finding accessible transportation, barriers in access to quality care, as well as increased financial burdens. Although access to care is a population health concern, there is less research on how access varies at the intersection of rurality and disability status. This policy brief from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center examines various financial and non-financial barriers to health care access among rural and urban individuals by disability status. Policy Updates Send questions to ruralpolicy@hrsa.gov. Webinar: CMS LEAD (Long-term Enhancing ACO Design) Model Overview – Thursday, January 29 at 2:00 pm Eastern. During this hour-long webinar, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will cover LEAD Model goals, participation options, eligibility, payment methodology, and the application process. Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are groups of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers that voluntarily work together to coordinate care, improve quality, and reduce unnecessary costs for patients. LEAD builds on the CMS Innovation Center's accountable care work to appeal to a broad mix of health care providers, including those with specialized patient populations and those new to ACOs, such as smaller, independent, or rural-based practices. It includes improved benchmarking, a 10-year performance period, and a focus on coordinated care for high-needs populations. Sign up to receive email updates about the LEAD Model to get notified about announcements, events, and resources, and contact the LEAD Help Desk at LEAD@cms.hhs.gov with questions. Resource of the Week Updated Topic Guides at the Rural Health Information Hub (RHIhub). Topic guides at the FORHP-supported RHIhub are well-researched primers on every subject related to rural health. Two guides were recently updated: 1) Community Paramedicine with resources to support new and existing programs; and 2) Rural Agricultural Health and Safety that includes details on chronic and acute health risks and information on agricultural injuries involving children. Introduction to Rural Telehealth. Telehealth.HHS.gov is a website with information about the latest federal efforts to support and promote virtual health care. It was built by the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth here at HRSA. The tools and resources in this guide of best practices for rural providers can be used to establish a new program or expand and enhance an existing telehealth program. Approaching Deadlines Deadline Extended: Appalachian Region Healthcare Support – Cohort 2 – Apply Through January 30 GAO Seeks Nominations for Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) – Submit by February 6 CDC Drug-Free Communities Support Program – February 12 National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Grants for Arts Projects – February 12 Denali Commission Rural Transportation Match and Gap Funding Assistance Program – February 13 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families – February 19 CMS Proposes Changes to Health Plan Price Transparency – Comment by February 23 Proposed Rule for HTI-5 Seeks to Reduce Criteria for Health IT – Comment by February 27 NIH Network of the National Library of Medicine Consumer Health Information Specialization Training Award – March 2 Institute of Museum and Library Sciences – Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program – March 13 Now Available: Medicare Survey on Hospital Outpatient Drug Costs – Submit by March 31 USDA Rural Development: Economic Development Loan & Grants Programs – March 31 USDA Rural Development: Intermediary Relending Program – March 31 Forecasted Opportunities HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) - Planning – Estimated Post Date February 2 HRSA Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program – Estimated Post Date February 16 HRSA Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)-Impact – Estimated Post Date February 23 Ongoing Opportunities - Updated January 2026 Bold indicates HRSA- and/or FORHP-funded opportunities. Administration for Children & Families: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency – Rural Emergency Medical Communications Demonstration Project Delta Regional Authority: Community Infrastructure Fund Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program General Services Administration: Federal Surplus Property Available for Public Use HRSA Needs Rural Reviewers for Grant Applications HRSA National Health Service Corps Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Training HRSA Look-Alike Initial Designation for the Health Center Program Indian Health Service/Department of Defense: Medical Supplies and Equipment for Tribes (Project TRANSAM) Licensure Portability: The Multi-Discipline Licensure Resource Project National Rural Health Resource Center: Rural Hospital Stabilization Program ProviderBridge: Mobilizing Health Care Workforce via Telehealth Rural Graduate Medical Education Planning and Development Small Business Administration Guaranteed Loans for Small Business Small Business Administration Rural Initiative Pilot Program Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency/: Post-Disaster Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program Targeted Technical Assistance for Rural Hospitals Program USDA: National School Lunch Afterschool Snack Program USDA: Summer Food Service Program USDA/National Rural Health Association: Rural Hospital Technical Assistance USDA Rural Development: America's Healthy Food Financing Initiative USDA Rural Development: Circuit Rider Program – Technical Assistance for Rural Water Systems USDA Rural Development: Community Facilities Programs USDA Rural Development: Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants USDA Rural Development: Grants for Rural and Native Alaskan Villages USDA Rural Development: Intermediary Relending Program – Ongoing with deadlines every quarter USDA Rural Development: Multifamily Housing Loan Guarantees USDA Rural Development: Rural Business Investment Program USDA Rural Development: Rural Energy Savings Program USDA Rural Development: SEARCH – Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (for Water/Waste Projects) USDA Rural Development: Telecommunications Infrastructure Loans and Loan Guarantees U.S. Department of Transportation: Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Drinking Water State Revolving Fund U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Physical Therapy Telehealth Research Study for Older Veterans – Ongoing until October 2026 | 
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