FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HRSA Announces $64 Million in Rural Opioid Response Program Funding Opportunities to Strengthen Rural Behavioral Health Systems; HealthBridge US Notes Program Availability
Los Angeles, CA – May 8, 2026 — The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced the availability of two new funding opportunities under the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP), totaling approximately $64 million in federal funding. The programs are designed to expand prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorders in rural communities across the United States.
Applications for both opportunities are due May 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST via Grants.gov.
Program Overview
The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) is a federal initiative dedicated exclusively to addressing substance use disorders in rural areas. The program supports the development and expansion of coordinated behavioral health systems across the prevention, treatment, and recovery continuum.
HRSA reports that while national overdose death rates have declined, rural communities continue to experience higher overdose mortality rates compared to pre-2020 levels, with slower rates of improvement than urban areas. These disparities are linked to challenges including limited behavioral health workforce capacity, geographic barriers to care, and reduced access to coordinated treatment services.
RCORP funding is intended to support integrated, community-based approaches that improve access to substance use disorder services within HRSA-designated rural areas.
RCORP-Planning Funding Opportunity
The RCORP-Planning program is designed to help rural communities develop the foundational infrastructure needed to establish and sustain substance use disorder service networks.
Funding Details:
Total funding: $4 million
Number of awards: Up to 40
Award amount: Up to $100,000 per year
Project period: 2 years
Application deadline: May 29, 2026
This program supports early-stage planning activities, including needs assessments, stakeholder engagement, service mapping, and the development of coordinated behavioral health system frameworks.
The goal of RCORP-Planning is to prepare rural organizations to compete for larger implementation funding by strengthening their capacity to design structured, sustainable service delivery models.
RCORP-Impact Funding Opportunity
The RCORP-Impact program supports rural communities in expanding access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use disorders through implementation of coordinated care systems.
Funding Details:
Total funding: $60 million
Number of awards: Up to 80
Award amount: Up to $750,000 per year
Project period: 4 years
Application deadline: May 29, 2026
This program requires applicants to develop integrated partnerships across healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, and social service agencies. Emphasis is placed on workforce development, care coordination, and long-term recovery infrastructure.
RCORP-Impact is structured to support sustained improvements in rural behavioral health systems and reduce morbidity and mortality associated with substance use disorders.
Program Requirements
Both RCORP-Planning and RCORP-Impact programs require applicants to operate within HRSA-designated rural areas and demonstrate coordinated, multi-sector approaches to service delivery.
Key program components include:
Expansion of behavioral health workforce capacity
Integration of prevention, treatment, and recovery services
Development of coordinated care networks
Strengthening of cross-sector partnerships
Improvement of access to evidence-based treatment
Reduction of overdose-related morbidity and mortality
Applicants are expected to demonstrate organizational readiness and the ability to sustain program activities over the full project period.
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by May 29, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.
HRSA has indicated that technical assistance webinars will be made available to support applicants in preparing submissions. Organizations are encouraged to subscribe to the Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) on Grants.gov for updates and guidance materials.
Questions regarding the funding opportunities may be directed to:
Email: ruralopioidresponse@hrsa.gov
HealthBridge US
HealthBridge US monitors federal funding opportunities related to rural health system development and behavioral health program expansion. The RCORP funding announcements represent opportunities for rural healthcare organizations and community-based providers to develop or expand substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery infrastructure.
Organizations evaluating participation in these programs may consider planning requirements, workforce capacity needs, and integration of behavioral health services across healthcare and social service systems.
HealthBridge US provides advisory support to healthcare organizations navigating federal grant programs, including assistance with application readiness, program design alignment, and operational planning for implementation of behavioral health initiatives.
Additional References
