Delaware
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), Division of Public Health (DPH)
Year 1 Award
$157.4M
Solicitations
06
This state has open sub-grantee solicitations. Applications are being accepted now.
Analysis
Delaware received $157,394,964 in Year 1 RHTP funding — the second-lowest award nationally, reflecting the state's small rural population of approximately 256,000 (25% of the state's total population). Delaware has no critical access hospitals and no rural health clinics as defined by HRSA's nonmetro threshold — an unusual profile among RHTP states that reflects Delaware's geographic reality as a densely populated small state where even rural areas are relatively close to urban centers. The rural health challenge in Delaware is concentrated in Kent and Sussex counties, which lack the specialist density and healthcare infrastructure of New Castle County and Wilmington. Despite its small scale, Delaware has moved faster than any other Phase 0 state in this batch: Governor Meyer announced open RFPs on February 9, 2026 — just 41 days after the CMS award. This pace is comparable to New Jersey and well ahead of most states. DHSS's Division of Public Health is the lead, and the 15-project structure is organized around four themes: Expanding Access to Care, Affordable Care and Chronic Disease Management, Growing the Healthcare Workforce, and System Transformation. Six of the fifteen projects entered active RFP status on February 9, 2026. This is a Phase 3 state with an active application window.
Applications & Compliance
Delaware RHTP — Rural Community Health Hubs (HSS26062)
Eligible: FQHC, BH, LHD, Other
Apr 17, 2026
Deadline
Delaware RHTP — School-Based Health Center Expansion (HSS26064)
Eligible: LHD, FQHC, Other
Apr 10, 2026
Deadline
Delaware RHTP — Rural Library-Based Health Access (HSS26065)
Eligible: Other
Apr 17, 2026
Deadline
Delaware RHTP — Food Is Medicine (HSS26060)
Eligible: FQHC, BH, LHD, Other
Apr 10, 2026
Deadline
Delaware RHTP — 4-Year Medical School Branch Campus Partnership (HSS26061)
Eligible: Other
Mar 27, 2026
Deadline
Delaware RHTP — Diabetes Wellness / Continuous Glucose Monitoring (HSS26063)
Eligible: FQHC, LHD, Other
Apr 16, 2026
Deadline
Compliance Prerequisites for Delaware
What your organization needs in place before applying
Implementation Model
Delaware is using a competitive RFP model administered through the state procurement portal at mmp.delaware.gov/Bids. Governor Meyer announced on February 9, 2026 that RFPs are open for four of the fifteen projects under Delaware's rural health plan. DHSS/DPH administers the awards and serves as the primary point of contact. Delaware's scale and the concentration of rural health need in Kent and Sussex counties suggests a relatively direct sub-grantee model without regional intermediaries. The fifteen projects span a wide range of eligible entity types — health hubs (mobile units and non-traditional access points), schools and school districts, rural libraries, healthcare providers and FQHCs, medical and training institutions, and specialized vendors. Additional RFPs will be released on a rolling basis. Organizations should register on the Delaware procurement portal (mmp.delaware.gov/Bids) to receive solicitation notifications as they are released.
Investment Priorities
Health Hubs
Funds mobile health units and non-traditional access points to bring primary care, behavioral health, and preventive services closer to rural residents in Kent and Sussex counties. Year 1 budget: $5,483,730.
School-Based Health Centers
Competitively awarded to support operation of new school-based health centers in rural schools. Year 1 budget: $195,000.
Libraries (Telehealth Support)
Funds rural libraries to serve as telehealth access points, providing equipment, connectivity, and patient support services. Year 1 budget: $1,835,000.
Hope Centers
Funds services for homeless and housing-insecure populations in rural and semi-rural areas; addresses intersection of housing instability and healthcare access. Year 1 budget: $26,370,000.
Food Is Medicine
Supports medically tailored meals, produce prescriptions, and nutrition services for patients managing chronic conditions in rural communities. Year 1 budget: $1,648,000.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring
Funds CGM devices and support services for rural patients managing diabetes. Year 1 budget: $950,000.
Telehealth and Remote Patient Monitoring
Expands telehealth platforms and remote patient monitoring infrastructure across Kent and Sussex counties. Year 1 budget: $5,000,000.
4-Year Medical School Branch Campus
Delaware's largest single Year 1 investment; funds establishment of a four-year medical school branch campus to address long-term physician pipeline gaps. Year 1 budget: $42,500,000.
Medical Student Tuition Awards
Financial awards for medical students committing to rural Delaware practice. Year 1 budget: $1,100,000.
Non-Physician Clinician Awards
Financial awards for NPs, PAs, and other advanced practice clinicians committing to rural practice. Year 1 budget: $1,000,000.
Expand Training Programs
Expands clinical training programs across nursing, allied health, and other disciplines. Year 1 budget: $20,910,000.
Medical Resident Support
Supports medical residency programs in Delaware's rural communities. Year 1 budget: $1,236,495.
Workforce Data Management
Funds healthcare workforce data systems to track supply, demand, and training program outcomes. Year 1 budget: $2,685,200.
Value-Based Care Transformation
Supports rural providers in transitioning to value-based payment models, including population health management infrastructure and quality improvement. Year 1 budget: $24,322,042.
Prior Authorization and Insurance Verification Network
Reduces administrative burden on rural providers through shared prior authorization and insurance verification infrastructure. Year 1 budget: $6,420,000.
What to Watch
Active RFP deadlines
ImmediateSix RFPs were open as of February 9, 2026. Close dates were not published in the press release or DHSS website; they must be confirmed directly at mmp.delaware.gov/Bids. Organizations eligible under any active category should access the portal immediately and review solicitation documents for deadlines.
Rolling RFP releases
Spring–Summer 2026Nine of the fifteen projects had not yet released RFPs as of February 9, 2026. Watch for additional releases, particularly for the largest budget items: Hope Centers ($26.4M), Value-Based Care Transformation ($24.3M), and Expand Training Programs ($20.9M). These represent the bulk of the Year 1 budget and the highest-stakes solicitations.
Medical School RFP outcome
2026The $42.5 million investment in a four-year medical school branch campus is the single largest Year 1 budget line. This is likely a sole-source or narrowly eligible solicitation (academic medical institutions only). Watch for the RFP to determine which institution(s) can compete.
Value-based care and Hope Centers solicitations
Q2–Q3 2026The two largest remaining solicitations — Value-Based Care Transformation ($24.3M) and Hope Centers ($26.4M) — are likely to attract competition from FQHCs, health systems, and community health organizations. FQHCs operating in Kent and Sussex counties should track these closely, as their community health model aligns directly with both initiatives.