Opportunity Information: Apply for HRSA 21 024

The Rural Policy Analysis Program (Funding Opportunity Number HRSA 21-024) is a national, discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), designed to strengthen policy making for rural America through rigorous research and practical policy analysis. The core goal is to fund work that helps policy makers better understand the real-world impacts of policies and regulations on rural health systems and rural communities, with an emphasis on issues that cut across both health and human services. Rather than focusing on a single disease or isolated service line, the program centers on broad, interconnected challenges facing rural areas, including both long-standing structural issues and emerging trends.

Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement, which typically means the awardee will work closely with HRSA during the project period and produce deliverables that can be used quickly by decision makers. The funded analyses are expected to translate complex policy topics into clear, usable products such as policy briefs and reports, along with webinars and oral presentations that share findings with stakeholders. A key expectation is timeliness: the program emphasizes rapid analysis and synthesis of evolving policies and regulations so rural leaders and policy officials can respond with up-to-date information rather than relying on outdated summaries.

The content focus of the work includes several related aims. Projects should explain the historical roots of major rural policy issues and connect that history to current implications, helping audiences understand why certain gaps persist and how past policy choices shape today’s outcomes. The program also calls for facilitating public dialogue around rural policy issues, meaning the work should not stay confined to technical papers but should support broader discussion among practitioners, community leaders, and policy audiences. Another major emphasis is identifying opportunities to integrate health and human services within policies that affect rural communities, recognizing that rural outcomes often depend on coordinated systems (for example, linking clinical care with social supports, workforce services, transportation, housing-related services, and other community resources). Finally, analyses should clearly lay out practical considerations for both rural stakeholders and policy makers, helping them anticipate tradeoffs, implementation barriers, and unintended consequences that may arise when policies are applied in rural settings.

The intended users of the program’s outputs include rural decision makers and policy leaders nationwide, particularly the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS). The work is also meant to support organizations directly engaged in rural health and human services improvement, such as State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) and State Rural Health Associations (SRHAs). In other words, the program is structured to generate policy-relevant research that can be immediately applied by advisory bodies and on-the-ground rural organizations that need credible analysis to guide advocacy, planning, and program design.

Key administrative details include an award ceiling of $225,000 and an expectation of a single award under this opportunity. The CFDA number associated with the program is 93.155, and the funding activity category is Health. The original posting date was October 14, 2020, with an original closing date of December 14, 2020. Eligibility is listed broadly as “Others,” with additional clarification referenced in the opportunity’s eligibility section.

  • The Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Policy Analysis Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.155.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Oct 14, 2020.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 14, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $225,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
Apply for HRSA 21 024

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Rural Policy Analysis Program (HRSA 21-024) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Rural Policy Analysis Program (HRSA 21-024)?

The Rural Policy Analysis Program is a national, discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It is designed to strengthen policymaking for rural America through rigorous research and practical policy analysis focused on rural health systems and rural communities.

What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?

The core goal is to fund work that helps policymakers better understand the real-world impacts of policies and regulations on rural health systems and rural communities, especially issues that cut across both health and human services.

Is this program focused on a single disease area or a specific service line?

No. The program is not structured around a single disease or an isolated service line. It emphasizes broad, interconnected challenges facing rural areas, including long-standing structural issues as well as emerging trends.

What type of award mechanism is used for this opportunity?

Funding is provided through a cooperative agreement. This typically means the awardee is expected to work closely with HRSA during the project period and produce deliverables intended for timely use by decision makers.

What kinds of deliverables are expected from funded projects?

Funded analyses are expected to translate complex policy topics into clear, usable products such as policy briefs and reports. The program also anticipates dissemination through webinars and oral presentations to share findings with stakeholders.

How important is timeliness in this program?

Timeliness is a key expectation. The program emphasizes rapid analysis and synthesis of evolving policies and regulations so rural leaders and policy officials can use up-to-date information rather than relying on outdated summaries.

What content areas or aims should projects address?

Based on the opportunity description, projects should align with several related aims, including: explaining the historical roots of major rural policy issues and linking them to current implications; facilitating public dialogue around rural policy issues; identifying opportunities to integrate health and human services within policies affecting rural communities; and laying out practical considerations (such as tradeoffs, implementation barriers, and unintended consequences) when policies are applied in rural settings.

What does it mean to "explain the historical roots" of rural policy issues?

It means analyses should describe how past policy choices and long-standing conditions contribute to current rural challenges, helping audiences understand why certain gaps persist and how prior decisions shape today’s outcomes.

What does "facilitating public dialogue" mean in the context of this program?

It means the work should not stay confined to technical papers. Outputs should support broader discussion among practitioners, community leaders, and policy audiences, using accessible formats and communications.

What does the program mean by integrating health and human services?

The program emphasizes identifying opportunities to coordinate health and human services within policies that affect rural communities, recognizing that rural outcomes often depend on coordinated systems. Examples mentioned include linking clinical care with social supports, workforce services, transportation, housing-related services, and other community resources.

What practical considerations should analyses include?

Analyses should clearly outline practical considerations for rural stakeholders and policymakers, including likely tradeoffs, implementation barriers, and potential unintended consequences that may occur when policies are implemented in rural settings.

Who is expected to use the outputs produced under this grant?

The intended users include rural decision makers and policy leaders nationwide, particularly the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and Human Services (NACRHHS). Outputs are also meant to support organizations engaged in rural health and human services improvement, such as State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) and State Rural Health Associations (SRHAs).

How is this program intended to support rural organizations and advisory bodies?

The program is structured to generate policy-relevant research that can be applied quickly by advisory bodies and on-the-ground rural organizations that need credible analysis to guide advocacy, planning, and program design.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling) for this opportunity?

The award ceiling listed for this opportunity is $225,000.

How many awards are expected under this funding opportunity?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of a single award.

What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The CFDA number associated with the Rural Policy Analysis Program is 93.155.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Health.

When was this opportunity originally posted and when did it close?

The original posting date was October 14, 2020, and the original closing date was December 14, 2020.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional clarification referenced in the opportunity’s eligibility section.

What is the overarching emphasis of this opportunity compared to typical research grants?

The emphasis is on practical, policy-relevant analysis that can be translated into usable products for decision makers, with a strong focus on rapid turnaround and communication through briefs, reports, webinars, and presentations.

What kinds of policy topics are in scope?

The program focuses on policies and regulations affecting rural health systems and rural communities, especially those that intersect health and human services and involve broad, interconnected rural challenges rather than narrow topic areas.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health

Next opportunity: Request for Statements of Interest: Global Support for Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Implementation by Women-led Civil Society

Previous opportunity: International Research Experiences for Students

Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for HRSA 21 024

 

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (HRSA 21 024) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism (INIA) Consortia Research Resource (U24) (Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AA 20 012

Funding Number: RFA AA 20 012
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Integrative Neuroscience Initiative on Alcoholism (INIA) Consortia Administrative Resource Core (U24) (Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for RFA AA 20 011

Funding Number: RFA AA 20 011
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Community Opioid Intervention Pilot Projects Apply for HHS 2021 IHS COIPP 0001

Funding Number: HHS 2021 IHS COIPP 0001
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $500,000
Urban Indian Education and Research Program, Competing Supplement Apply for HHS 2020 IHS UIHP3 0002

Funding Number: HHS 2020 IHS UIHP3 0002
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Health Service
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $1,000,000
MCH Navigator Program Apply for HRSA 21 044

Funding Number: HRSA 21 044
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $225,000
Rural Health Clinic Technical Assistance Program Apply for HRSA 21 028

Funding Number: HRSA 21 028
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $100,000
PrEP Choice: Increasing the Use of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in an Era of Choices Apply for RFA PS 21 003

Funding Number: RFA PS 21 003
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $1,040,000
National Telehealth Resource Center Program Apply for HRSA 21 023

Funding Number: HRSA 21 023
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $325,000
Regional Telehealth Resource Center Program Apply for HRSA 21 022

Funding Number: HRSA 21 022
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $325,000
Maternal Child Health (MCH) Research Network on Promoting Healthy Weight among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Developmental Disabilities Apply for HRSA 21 038

Funding Number: HRSA 21 038
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Advancing Public Health Research in Kenya Apply for RFA GH 21 003

Funding Number: RFA GH 21 003
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $15,000,000
UT5 Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics Research Network (DBPNet) Apply for HRSA 21 039

Funding Number: HRSA 21 039
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $275,000
Characterizing the Natural History of Fragile X Syndrome to Inform the Development of Intervention Outcome Measures Apply for RFA DD 21 002

Funding Number: RFA DD 21 002
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $800,000
Statewide Family Network Apply for SM 21 002

Funding Number: SM 21 002
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $950,000
Statewide Consumer Network Program Apply for SM 21 001

Funding Number: SM 21 001
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $95,000
Grants to Support States in Providing Added Flexibility to Strengthen the Private Health Insurance Market through Implementation of Market Reforms under Part A of Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act, Apply for PR PRP 21 001

Funding Number: PR PRP 21 001
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, CMS-Consumer Information Insurance Oversight
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $23,700,000
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part D -- Women, Infants, Children, and Youth (WICY) Grants Supplemental Funding Apply for HRSA 21 059

Funding Number: HRSA 21 059
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
Category: Health
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Conducting Research to Inform Pandemic Response and Recovery of Emergency-Affected Populations by Determining Public Health Needs, Improving Methods, and Integrating Services to Mitigate Morbidity and Mortality Apply for RFA GH 21 004

Funding Number: RFA GH 21 004
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $3,000,000
Implementation Research Consortium to Accelerate Impact of Health Department-Delivered HIV Prevention Activities Apply for RFA PS 21 002

Funding Number: RFA PS 21 002
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $1,150,000
Client-Oriented Response for HIV Epidemic Control (CORE) Activity Apply for 72061220RFA00015

Funding Number: 72061220RFA00015
Agency: Agency for International Development, Malawi USAID-Lilongwe
Category: Health
Funding Amount: $80,000,000

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

Inside Our Applicants Portal

  • Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
  • Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
  • Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Access Applicants Portal

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Learn More

 

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "HRSA 21 024", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.

 

Ask a Question: