Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways (LEAP) Training Program is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This federal program is forecasted for Fiscal Year 2026 and falls under the Assistance Listing 93.110 – Special Projects of Regional and National Significance. The primary aim of the MCH LEAP Training Program is to establish and sustain undergraduate-level pathway programs that foster interest, leadership, and career development in maternal and child health fields, especially among underrepresented populations. This training initiative is designed to broaden and diversify the future workforce in maternal and child health. It seeks to enhance access to healthcare and public health services in rural and underserved communities by nurturing early interest in MCH careers through structured training, mentorship, and academic support. The LEAP program integrates leadership training with hands-on learning experiences tailored for undergraduate students, encouraging them to pursue further education and careers in MCH-related disciplines. By targeting students at the undergraduate level, the program hopes to establish a continuous pipeline of skilled professionals dedicated to improving MCH outcomes. Funding will be provided to support up to six awards, each with a maximum value of $155,000. The total estimated program funding is $930,000. There is no matching or cost-sharing requirement associated with this opportunity. Award recipients are expected to initiate their projects by June 1, 2026, following the anticipated award announcements on May 29, 2026. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. ET on the expected due date of May 15, 2026. The estimated post date for the funding opportunity is April 15, 2026. Eligible applicants for the MCH LEAP Training Program include public and non-profit private institutions of higher education, as well as Native American tribal governments and organizations that function as public or private non-profit institutions of higher learning. All applicants must be domestic organizations, encompassing the 50 states, District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Freely Associated States. This ensures a national scope and alignment with HRSA’s commitment to increasing educational and health equity across all U.S. jurisdictions. While specific application components and evaluation criteria are not detailed in the forecast, applicants can expect that successful proposals will likely need to demonstrate capacity to provide effective MCH leadership training, create sustainable undergraduate pathways, and address the needs of rural and underserved populations. Submission will be managed through the standard Grants.gov portal, and technical assistance may be obtained by contacting the Maternal and Child Health Bureau's Division of MCH Workforce Development at (301) 433-2170. Given its national scope and recurring nature, the MCH LEAP Training Program serves as a foundational opportunity to build future MCH professionals through early engagement and institutional commitment to equity and workforce development. Programs that demonstrate strong academic support systems, community engagement strategies, and a commitment to health equity will likely align closely with the initiative's goals.