These instructions are for VUMC investigators. VU investigators should apply through InfoReady and address any questions to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.
VUMC may submit only one application to the HRSA Rural Health Network Development Planning Program.
The purpose of the Network Planning Grant Program is to promote the development of integrated health care networks in order to: (i) achieve efficiencies; (ii) expand access to, coordinate, and improve the quality of basic health care services and associated health outcomes; and (iii) strengthen the rural health care system as a whole. Applicants must describe planning activities that support at least one (1) of these three legislative aims.
This program supports one year of planning and brings together key parts of a rural health care delivery system, particularly those entities that may not have collaborated in the past, to establish and/or improve local capacity in order to strengthen rural community health interventions, and enhance care coordination.
For the purposes of this program, an integrated health care network is defined as an organizational arrangement among at least three (3) regional or local health care organizations that come together to develop strategies for improving health services in a community.
This program uses the concept of developing networks as a strategy toward linking rural health care partners together to address local challenges, and help rural partners achieve greater collective capacity to overcome challenges related to limited economies of scale for individual hospitals, clinics or other key rural health care stakeholders. Studies show that integrated health care networks formed in rural communities allow for better resource allocation of both personnel and shared assets to decrease and/or prevent chronic disease, create stronger buy-in, trust and input among partners and community members, improve data sharing, and increase sustainability and longevity of the network. Because of the benefits a network provides, 88% of past Network Planning awardees have reported the sustainability of at least some elements of their network activities post-grant.
Award Information:
The period of performance is July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. The award is up to $100,000 total costs. Please note: There is no implementation component to this award once the planning grant ends. The funding for this program covers one year of the planning grant only.
See the NOFO for more information.
Internal Application Process:
Anyone interested in being considered to submit VUMC’s proposal must submit the following (in a single PDF) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 5 p.m. on December 8:
- Brief project description including summary budget (2 pages max). Please indicate which aim your proposal is addressing;
- Letter of support from department chair/center director;
- NIH Biosketch
Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to LSO@vanderbilt.edu.
