HRSA Announces More Than $135 Million to Expand Nutrition Services and Strengthen Rural Health Workforce

MARANA, AZ — APRIL 7, 2026— The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) today announced more than $135 million in new funding opportunities to expand nutrition services and strengthen the rural health workforce. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., alongside HRSA Administrator Tom Engels and Representative Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), announced this important investment during a Preventative Care Roundtable with key stakeholders.

“Preventative care cuts costs, improves outcomes, and drives our mission to Make America Healthy Again,” said Secretary Kennedy. “These investments expand access to high-quality, affordable care—especially in rural communities that need it most.”

“HRSA is committed to strengthening the health workforce, advancing preventative care, and expanding access to essential nutrition services,” said HRSA Administrator Engels. “By supporting new rural residency programs to deliver evidence-based nutrition services, we are creating a stronger, more sustainable system of care that helps prevent chronic disease, improves health outcomes, and advances HHS and Make America Healthy Again priorities for communities across the country.”

Funding Opportunity Overview

• $125 million for Expanded Nutrition Services (ENS): This funding will support more than 350 HRSA-funded health centers in expanding access to nutrition services and food-based interventions within primary care settings. These efforts aim to prevent and manage chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes, aligning with the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again priorities.
• $11.25 million for the Rural Residency Planning and Development (RRPD) Program: HRSA plans to award up to 15 grants of up to $750,000 each over three years to support new rural residency programs in high-need specialties, including family medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, OB-GYN, general surgery, and preventive medicine. Physicians who train in rural settings are significantly more likely to practice there, helping address workforce shortages.

HRSA-funded health centers serve more than 32.4 million patients at over 16,000 sites nationwide, including one in five rural residents.

The RRPD program provides start-up funding to establish sustainable rural residency programs supported by long-term funding sources like Medicare and Medicaid. Since 2019, HRSA has awarded 103 grants across 36 states and one territory, supporting 62 accredited programs, more than 660 resident physicians, and over 750 residency positions in rural communities.

Expanding nutrition services and strengthening the rural workforce will improve access to care, enhance preventive services, and reduce the burden of chronic disease.

For more information, visit www.hrsa.gov or www.grants.gov.