Rural Health Innovation Fund
The Rural Health Innovation Fund is administered through the NC Department of Information Technology, Office of Digital Opportunity. The fund is intended to help rural providers assess digital needs and modernize infrastructure. This sub-fund operates within North Carolina’s broader Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program and provides an opportunity for providers to test and scale new digital solutions and emerging technologies to improve care, streamline workflows, and enhance patient engagement.
Eligibility
- Meet the definition of “health care organization” outlined in the North Carolina Administrative Code (NCAC) 10A NCAC 41A .0206(a)(1). Examples of some of the facility types which meet this definition are below.
- Hospitals,
- Physician practices,
- Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs),
- Rural health clinics,
- Behavioral health providers, or
- Any other organization that provides clinical care.
- Facility location in one (1) of the 85 Federal Office of Rural Health Policy designated rural counties OR have 40% or more patients who reside in rural areas.
- Not be under sanction or debarment from receiving federal funds by the United States Government System for Award Management (SAM.gov) or the North Carolina Division of Health Benefits (NC Medicaid).
- Have a risk assessment rating of low or medium.
- All recipients of federal funds are required to undergo a risk assessment. Risk assessment ratings can be low, medium, or high.
How to Apply
Eligible entities begin the application process by first completing the Readiness Intake form, opening on September 30, 2026. After submitting the intake form, entities must complete the full application by November 16, 2026.
The Readiness Intake can be completed using the link below:
Program Background
North Carolina Rural Health Transformation Program is a statewide initiative supported by more than $213 million in Year 1 federal funding approved by the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Funding is designed to address longstanding challenges in rural health care, including workforce shortages, hospital sustainability and gaps in access to mental health and primary care services.
Statewide RHT funding is expected to improve health care delivery for more than 3 million North Carolinians in rural communities, support over 400 rural health facilities, and bring hundreds of millions of dollars in federal investment to the state over the next five years.
All questions regarding the program can be submitted to RHIF@nc.gov