The Rural Health Transformation Program Year 2 Fall 2026 funding cycle application opened on September 30. Applications for planning and implementation projects will be accepted through October 28 at 11:59 pm Alaska time. Information about the fall 2026 funding cycle, including application materials, updated applicant guidance and other resources, is available online.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

Join the Alaska Department of Health on September 23 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Dena'ina Center, Anchorage (in-person or virtual), for a day dedicated to connecting Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) applicants and preparing for the Year 2 funding cycle: Register for the Alaska RHTP Applicant Convening: Celebrating Year 1, Looking Ahead to Year 2 

The next Advisory Council meeting is scheduled for September 23 from 8:00 am to 10:00 am: Register for the September 23 RHTP Advisory Council meeting. The recording, agenda and meeting materials will be available on the RHTP Advisory Council web page. 

On September 11, the Department of Health hosted a public webinar that focused on reflections from the Year 1 funding cycle and provided a high-level overview of the approach for the upcoming Year 2 funding cycle. Watch the recording of the RHTP Funding Cycle Updates meeting 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

The Department of Health Implementation Application Walkthrough Webinar (June 1, 2026) is now posted. Of the nearly 1,800 Letters of Interest received from 864 unique organizations, 403 were advanced to this full implementation pathway funding, while 28 were approved for planning pathway funding. 

Also in Alaska, the Department of Health is also hosting regional planning meetings across Alaska, with upcoming sessions scheduled for Mat-Su on June 4 and the Greater Anchorage Area on September 22. Interested stakeholders can submit their Regional Meeting Interest Form or provide input through the Community Input Form.  

Finally in Alaska, the Department of Health anticipates opening a new Letter of Interest (LOI) submission period for Year 2 funding in early fall 2026, along with state-directed targeted innovation opportunities focused on priority areas such as equipment upgrades, training and value-based payment models. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

The state’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) continues advancing stakeholder engagement through its “Impacts Series” webinars and regional planning meetings focused on strengthening rural healthcare systems through collaboration and innovation. Recent discussions centered on healthcare access, workforce development, healthy communities, technology innovation and maternal and child health priorities, while regional meetings in Seward, Kenai and Fairbanks brought together stakeholders to identify local rural health needs and implementation opportunities. Additional regional meetings are planned for June 4 in the Mat-Su Valley and September 22 in Anchorage. A link to webinar recordings and presentation materials is available on the Alaska RHTP website.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

The department is reviewing nearly 1,800 Letters of Interest (LOI) received during the March 11 submission deadline and expects to notify applicants of their status by mid-May 2026. Project Implementation applicants selected to advance will have approximately three weeks to submit full applications through the Alaska Community Foundation portal beginning in mid-May, while Planning and Readiness applicants will be asked for additional project details to execute grant agreements.  

Session 2 registration is open for the interactive RHTP Impacts Webinar Series covering the six program initiatives, and the state anticipates opening Year 2 LOI submissions in late summer 2026.  To register for each of the six program initiatives webinars, please click "View +" to access the registration link for "Session 2". 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

The Department of Health launched its RHTP Impacts Learning Collaborative Webinar Series, a structured engagement initiative covering six key program areas. The first Letter of Interest (LOI) registration period closed on March 11 with nearly 1,800 submissions now entering review by the Alaska Community Foundation. Organizations that submitted LOIs will receive notifications as submissions are processed, with additional LOI opportunities to be announced throughout the program’s lifecycle. The department posted information about the RHTP Advisory Council, including its charter document detailing the Council’s purpose, structure and stakeholder guidance role for program implementation.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

The state launched its RHTP Impacts Learning Collaborative Webinar Series, a structured engagement initiative under the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) designed to support implementation across six key program areas. Each initiative includes a six-part webinar series that brings stakeholders together to share best practices, address priority challenges and develop actionable solutions through a phased approach from vision-setting to project design and next steps. With registration now open, this effort signals the state’s continued focus on stakeholder engagement and collaborative program development, creating opportunities for providers, including pharmacies, to help shape and implement RHTP initiatives. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

New Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been posted to the Alaska Department of Health Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) webpage. Please also refer to the Letter of Interest Applicant Resource Guide, Office Hours webinar recordings and other resources on the webpage.

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.

The state's first Letter of Interest (LOI) period for the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) opened February 17 and closes March 11. Community organizations must submit an LOI through the Alaska Community Foundation's online portal, which the Department of Health is using to administer the subrecipient application and award process. 

The LOI is a required first step for this initial funding opportunity and is intended to help the Department assess project concepts, organizational readiness and appropriate funding pathways. All applicants will use the same LOI portal. Additional LOI periods are planned, creating future opportunities to pursue RHTP funding. Sign up for RHTP updates. 

For more information, contact NACDS’ Jermaine Smith at 703–837–4388.