Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP)-Planning

The Rural Communities Opioid Response Program (RCORP) - Planning, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), is a discretionary federal grant opportunity designed to assist rural communities in tackling the challenges posed by opioid misuse and related substance use disorders (SUD). As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, HRSA is committed to improving health care access and outcomes for underserved and vulnerable populations. This grant aligns with that mission by specifically targeting rural areas, which often face significant barriers to accessing effective prevention, treatment, and recovery services for substance use. The primary goal of the RCORP-Planning initiative is to enable organizations within rural communities to establish the foundational elements needed to build, implement, and sustain comprehensive SUD service delivery systems. While the program’s emphasis is on opioid use disorder (OUD), HRSA acknowledges that those affected often misuse other substances, such as alcohol. Thus, the program adopts a broader approach to behavioral health, addressing mental, behavioral, and psychosocial support needs alongside substance use treatment. The planning-focused nature of the program aims to support the development of local partnerships, community buy-in, and strategies that are critical for effective long-term solutions. Funding under this opportunity is exclusively designated for planning activities. Applicants may not use the funds for direct service delivery. Instead, the financial support is intended to help communities prepare for the future implementation of sustainable SUD care systems. These systems should be comprehensive and community-oriented, reducing substance use initiation and misuse, responding to behavioral health challenges, and ultimately decreasing the rates of disease and death related to substance use. The program prioritizes accessibility, community engagement, and strengthening the behavioral health workforce in rural areas. This forecasted opportunity anticipates issuing 40 awards, each at a fixed amount of $100,000. The total program funding is projected to be $4,000,000. Importantly, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for applicants. Eligible applicants include a wide range of public, private, non-profit, and for-profit domestic entities, as long as they are located in the United States or its territories. Specific eligible applicant types include state and local governments, tribal entities, nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status), institutions of higher education, small and for-profit businesses, and housing authorities, among others. The application process is electronic, with submissions due by April 27, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. HRSA plans to post the application package by March 26, 2026. The anticipated award date is August 1, 2026, with project activities expected to commence on September 1, 2026. Because this is a planning grant, applications should focus on strategic planning, assessment, and partnership-building activities rather than program implementation. Contact for the opportunity is Lynlee Tanner Stapleton, reachable via phone at 301-443-5764 or by email at [email protected]. Additional program details can be accessed through HRSA’s official opioid response webpage. Applicants should carefully review the official application package when released and ensure timely and complete submission to be considered for funding. The program is part of a recurring federal initiative to support rural health infrastructure and community readiness in response to the opioid crisis.