The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) released a Funding Opportunity Announcement for its Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program (SHIP). The purpose of SHIP is to help rural hospitals of 49 beds or less: (1) purchase equipment and/or training to attain value-based purchasing provision under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA); (2) join or become accountable care organizations, or create shared savings programs per the ACA; and (3) purchase health information technology, equipment and/or training to comply with meaningful use, ICD-10 standards, and payment bundling. This program will provide funding for Federal fiscal years 2013-2015. Approximately $15,000,000 is expected to be made available annually to fund up to forty-seven (47) states. The State Office of Rural Health (SORH) in each state will be the official grantee of record, as they will act as a fiscal intermediary for all hospitals within their state and should anticipate budgeting $9,000 per hospital per year. Eligible applicants include current SORHs receiving SHIP, as well as SORHs not previously funded. Applications are due March 15, 2013.