The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) is pleased to announce the launch of a new grant program through Maryland’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), with approximately $4.7 million in funding available to support initiatives that improve access to healthy, locally sourced food across rural communities. The Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $168,180,837.61, with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS.
This funding focuses on improving access to healthy, locally sourced food while strengthening regional food systems and improving health outcomes in rural communities. The program will support projects that expand post-harvest infrastructure for small farms, enhance food distribution through food hubs and mobile markets, and increase procurement of local foods by institutions such as schools, hospitals, and community organizations.
Additional priorities include advancing nutrition education and supporting regional coordination to address food insecurity in rural “hot spot” communities. Collectively, these efforts are designed to build a more resilient, equitable food system that supports both public health and Maryland’s agricultural economy.
“The Rural Health Transformation Program reflects a collaborative, statewide effort to improve the health and well-being of rural residents,” said Charlotte Davis, Executive Director of the Rural Maryland Council. “We are proud to partner with the Maryland Department of Health and other stakeholders to ensure these investments reach communities where they are needed most.” Additional details on eligibility, application timelines, and program guidelines will be announced soon.
RMC will administer this funding through a streamlined, one-phase grant application process, designed to move resources quickly to projects that are ready for implementation. Due to federal requirements, funding must be deployed within a limited timeframe, making this a unique opportunity for organizations prepared to advance impactful, community-based solutions.
FY2027 RHTP Grant Information Session and Important Dates
Information Session
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Online – Zoom Teleconference
Important Grant Dates
Grant Process Opens: Monday, April 20, 2026
Full Application Deadline: Friday, May 15, 2026
Award Notifications: Week of August 17, 2026*
*Date subject to change.
The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) operates under the direction of a 40-member executive board in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner. It serves as the state’s federally designated rural development council and functions as the official voice for rural Maryland. The RMC advocates for rural communities and businesses across the state to flourish and to gain parity to their suburban and urban counterparts. The RMC envisions a future where residents in rural communities are achieving success in education and employment, have access to affordable, quality health care and other vital public services, and live in an environment where natural and cultural resources are being sustained for future generations.
Learn more about the grant programs and register for an upcoming grant information session by visiting the RMC website – rural.maryland.gov/grant-opportunities.
