Nursing Home Staffing Campaign

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), operating under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for its Nursing Home Staffing Campaign (NHSC), designed to address critical staffing shortages in nursing homes. This federal initiative is administered by CMS’s Center for Clinical Standards and Quality (CCSQ) and aims to recruit and retain registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs) through financial incentives. The program is part of CMS’s broader efforts to enhance the quality of care in nursing homes by improving staffing levels and reducing staff turnover. Awardees will be designated Financial Incentive Administrators (FIAs), who will be responsible for distributing financial incentives and implementing recruitment strategies. This program operates under a cooperative agreement structure, which entails significant collaboration between CMS and the awarded entities. CMS anticipates issuing 5 to 10 awards, each covering one or more of six designated U.S. regions, with total funding expected at $80 million. Applicants may receive between $1.76 million and $20 million per region across a five-year period, which includes a six-month infrastructure setup phase, a recruitment phase of 18 to 21 months, and a three-year work completion period. Eligible nurses will receive quarterly payments as either loan repayment (up to $40,000) or stipends ($10,000 adjusted for local cost of living), contingent upon a three-year, full-time work commitment in qualifying nursing homes or state survey agencies. Applicants must be nonprofit nursing or educational organizations, such as national nursing associations or academic institutions with wide reach across states. CMS mandates that successful applicants demonstrate existing relationships with a large number of nursing schools and nurses. Institutions must show they can serve entire regions and engage thousands of nurses across state lines. Individual nursing homes, state agencies (excluding public universities), and for-profit entities are ineligible to apply. Applications will be reviewed based on experience, operational readiness, communications and reporting plans, recruitment strategies, timeline feasibility, and cost efficiency. CMS encourages low administrative overhead—ideally no more than 15% of total funding. The application deadline is March 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. A non-binding letter of intent is encouraged by February 20, 2026, and an informational webinar will be held on February 25, 2026, for eligible applicants. Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov, and applicants must be registered with SAM.gov and have an active UEI. Required components include a project narrative (up to 15 pages), budget narrative (10 pages), project abstract, indirect cost documentation, nonprofit status verification, resumes or job descriptions for key personnel, and a business assessment. Applicants may only submit one proposal under this opportunity. During the cooperative agreement period, FIAs must maintain up-to-date tracking systems to manage nurse applications, validate licensure and debt, monitor employment commitment, and coordinate with CMS and state stakeholders. Regular reporting is required, including monthly and quarterly updates, an annual report, and a comprehensive final report. CMS reserves the right to adjust funding distributions or extend the program based on performance, fund availability, or strategic needs. This program is authorized under sections of the Social Security Act governing the use of civil monetary penalties to enhance care quality in nursing homes. Questions about eligibility or program structure can be directed to [email protected]. The anticipated award announcement is set for June 15, 2026, with the earliest project start date on July 1, 2026. While no cost-sharing is required, additional voluntary contributions from states or stakeholders may be incorporated and must be reported. This opportunity presents a comprehensive approach to addressing nurse shortages in long-term care facilities by offering direct financial incentives while partnering closely with the federal government.

Emphasize low admin costs; show regional infrastructure readiness; use clear methodology for nurse recruitment estimates; align budget with milestones