The Rural and Underserved Clinical Rotations grant program seeks to strengthen Minnesota’s health care workforce and improve access to care for rural and underserved communities by expanding clinical training opportunities in these communities.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
State: Minnesota
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 07/25/2025
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
The Rural and Underserved Clinical Rotations (RUCR) grant program is established to award health professional training site grants to eligible physician, physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, pharmacy, dentistry, dental therapy, and mental health professional programs to augment existing clinical training programs to add rural and underserved rotations or clinical training experiences, such as credential or certificate rural tracks or other specialized training. For physician and dentist training, the expanded training must include rotations in primary care settings such as community clinics, hospitals, health maintenance organizations, or practices in rural communities.
This grant will serve:
- Rural and underserved communities by strengthening Minnesota’s health care workforce and improving access to health care.
- Eligible health professional programs and students by expanding clinical training opportunities.
Grant outcomes will include:
- An increase in the number of clinical training opportunities in rural and underserved Minnesota communities.
- An increase in the number and percentage of graduates from clinical training programs practicing in rural and underserved Minnesota communities.
- Greater access to primary care, including mental health care, in rural and underserved Minnesota communities.
Funding Information
- MDH anticipates awarding $1,500,000 through approximately 4-6 grants in this funding cycle.
- The maximum award amount is $400,000.
Grant Period
November 1, 2025 – October 31, 2026.
Eligible Expenses
Grant funds may be used to cover the cost of:
- establishing or expanding rotations and clinical training
- recruitment, training, and retention of students and faculty
- connecting students with appropriate clinical training sites, internships, practicums, or externship activities
- travel and lodging for students
- faculty, student, and preceptor salaries, incentives, or other financial support
- development and implementation of cultural competency training
- evaluations
- training site improvements, fees, equipment, and supplies required to establish, maintain, or expand a training program
- supporting clinical education in which trainees are part of a primary care team model.
Eligibility Criteria
The following types of clinical training programs, which may be part of institutions of higher education, hospitals, or other entities located in Minnesota, are eligible to apply for this funding:
- Advanced Practice Registered Nursing Program
- Dental Program
- Mental Health Professional Program
- Pharmacy Program
- Physician Residency Training Program
- Physician Assistant Program
For more information, visit MDH.
