The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a Funding Opportunity Announcement for its Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program, which promotes developing integrated health care networks to: (a) achieve efficiencies; (b) expand access to, coordinate and improvement the quality of essential health care services; and (c) strengthen rural health care systems. For the fiscal year of 2016, the program will require applicants to focus efforts around diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and acute ischemic stroke as well as population health.  This program funds organizations located in designated counties within the eight Delta states: Alabama, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri.

Eligible applicants are rural public or rural nonprofit entities that represent a network of three or more health care providers. Applicants may not have previously received an award under this opportunity (with the exception of a planning grant). Applicants may request up to $45,000 per eligible county per year for the three-year project period. Applications are due April 4, 2016.