Promoting Health Equity and Expanding Health Care Access Grant Program

The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC), operating as an independent entity within the Maryland Department of Health, has issued its FY 2026 Annual Request for Applications (RFA) to expand access to health care services for underserved and low-income communities in Maryland. Created through legislative action in 2005, CHRC has awarded nearly 1,000 grants totaling approximately $396 million to support a robust health care safety net. These initiatives have directly served over 900,000 Marylanders and helped leverage an additional $59 million from other funding sources, demonstrating the Commission’s commitment to promoting health equity and addressing systemic barriers in care delivery. The FY 2026 RFA offers approximately $7 million in grant funding to support projects that must address two strategic priorities simultaneously. The first is advancing health equity by targeting social determinants of health (SDOH), such as food insecurity, transportation barriers, and access to health insurance. The second priority involves strengthening the capacity of safety net providers and community-based organizations to engage in state-level initiatives like the Engaging Neighborhoods, Organizations, Unions, Governments and Households (ENOUGH) initiative and the Achieving Healthcare Efficiency through Accountable Design (AHEAD) model. These programs aim to reduce avoidable emergency department visits and hospital readmissions through community-driven and data-informed interventions. Eligible applicants must be qualified “community health resources” per COMAR Title 10, Subtitle 45. This includes organizations offering primary care, access services, or designated health services through a sliding fee scale or free of charge, and primarily operating in Maryland. Proposals must clearly align with both strategic priorities and select one of six designated Areas of Focus: hospital-community partnerships, support for medically vulnerable populations, chronic disease prevention and management, maternal and child health, dental health, and adult behavioral health including substance use disorder. Each Area of Focus has a projected total funding allocation of $1 million to $1.5 million for all awarded projects, with individual grants anticipated to range from $300,000 to $750,000 and a duration of up to three years. The application process involves two key phases. First, a mandatory Letter of Intent (LOI) must be submitted through a Smartsheet portal by 3:00 PM EST on March 30, 2026. Only applicants deemed eligible will be invited to proceed with full proposals, which are due by 3:00 PM EST on April 23, 2026. Late submissions will not be considered under any circumstances. The selection process includes a review of eligibility documentation, including a sliding fee schedule and, where applicable, memoranda of understanding (MOUs) demonstrating referral relationships with care providers. Applicants are required to submit detailed project narratives, budget templates, and documentation to demonstrate organizational capacity, community engagement, and a plan for sustainability beyond the grant period. Evaluation criteria include alignment with strategic priorities, project feasibility, data collection capabilities, sustainability, and cultural competence. Awards will be announced in late June 2026 following a presentation by selected finalists. Key documents and templates, such as the logic model, budget narrative, and application forms, are available via the CHRC website. The CHRC emphasizes that awarded funds cannot duplicate other existing funding sources and must be used to support services not covered by other state, federal, or insurance-based mechanisms. Program staff may be contacted for clarification, with Jen Clatterbuck serving as the primary administrator for inquiries. The CHRC encourages both returning and new applicants and actively promotes proposals that demonstrate innovation, sustainability, and measurable health outcomes.

Focus on data metrics, SDOH impact, sustainability plans, alignment with AHEAD/ENOUGH initiatives.