Rural Emergency Medical Services Training

The Rural Emergency Medical Services Training grant, offered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a discretionary federal funding opportunity aimed at supporting emergency medical services (EMS) in rural areas. This program is listed under Assistance Listing Number 93.490 and is designed to enhance the capacity of rural EMS agencies to provide critical, immediate care and rapid transport to medical facilities. EMS personnel in rural communities serve as the frontline response to a range of medical emergencies, often in areas where healthcare infrastructure is limited or distant. This initiative focuses on the recruitment and training of EMS personnel to provide essential emergency interventions. These include life-saving procedures such as opioid overdose reversal using naloxone, buprenorphine initiation for opioid use disorder treatment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and oxygen administration. These interventions are vital in improving patient outcomes and alleviating the burden on local hospitals, particularly in underserved rural regions where response times and access to emergency care can be significantly delayed. The program does not impose a cost sharing or matching requirement, making it more accessible to small or resource-constrained EMS agencies. The estimated total program funding is $13.5 million, with an anticipated 45 awards to be distributed. However, the specific award ceiling and floor amounts are not currently published. The funding is categorized under Health, with the broader objective of strengthening healthcare delivery systems in rural settings through enhanced EMS training and preparedness. Eligible applicants for this opportunity are limited by statute to emergency medical services agencies operated by local or Tribal governments, including both fire-based and non-fire-based services. Additionally, non-governmental EMS agencies structured as tax-exempt under section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code are also eligible. This criteria ensures that the funding targets qualified EMS providers actively serving rural populations. As of the forecast publication date, March 20, 2026, this opportunity is in the early engagement phase. The estimated posting date for the full funding opportunity announcement is May 15, 2026. Specific deadlines for application submission, award notification, and project start are not yet available. Applicants are advised to monitor grants.gov and SAMHSA’s funding pages for updates. For further inquiries, prospective applicants may contact Angela Caldwell at 240-276-2586 or via email at [email protected]. Given the focus on rural readiness and emergency preparedness, this grant supports national goals to improve health outcomes in rural communities through effective, rapid-response EMS systems.