In September 2025, a notice of funding opportunity was released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to help states “strengthen rural communities across America in improving healthcare access, quality and outcomes by transforming the healthcare delivery ecosystem.” More information about the CMS Rural Health Transformation initiative can be found here.
In December 2025, Massachusetts was awarded $162 million for the first year of the program. The Massachusetts Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) focuses on three overarching goals:
- Expand access to essential healthcare services for rural residents.
- Improve health and well-being through targeted initiatives and partnerships.
- Strengthen systems, policies and investments to meet the unique needs of rural communities.
More information about the Massachusetts RHTP can be found here.
In alignment with the goals of the MA RHTP, the Massachusetts eHealth Institute (MeHI) and the MassCyberCenter will administer four programs designed to validate digital health solutions and improve technology infrastructure for healthcare providers and patients in designated rural areas of the state.
Listening Sessions
To learn more about the four programs, register to attend one of our upcoming information and listening sessions.
Rural Digital Health Sandbox Program
The Rural Digital Health Sandbox Program funds projects to test, validate and pilot innovative solutions designed to improve access to care, enhance quality and strengthen the rural healthcare delivery ecosystem. Through the program, digital health startups can work with members of MeHI’s Sandbox Network, a group of cutting-edge research and development organizations located throughout Massachusetts. Companies with a U.S. presence may be eligible for grants up to $475,000 to fund their work with a sandbox.
Rural Health Cybersecurity Grant Program
The MassCyberCenter is providing grants to rural health facilities (RHFs) under the Rural Health Cybersecurity Grant Program to fund essential cybersecurity services including assessments, Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and other related managed services. Grants are eligible to fund services from CyberTrust Massachusetts including, but not limited to:
- Cybersecurity Assessments
- Virtual CISO (vCISO) and Training
- Managed Detection and Response (technology solution provider: SentinelOne)
- Extended Detection and Response (XDR)
- Application Control and Zero Trust (technology solution provider: ThreatLocker)
- Email Security
Grants may fund up to the full cost of these services for one year and be renewed annually for up to five years total.
CyberTrust Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization working closely with the MassCyberCenter and receiving grant funding to manage the operation of its Security Operations Center and support Cyber Ranges located at colleges and universities across the Commonwealth.
Rural Health Information Exchange (HIE) Program
The Rural Health Information Exchange (HIE) Program is designed to support enhancement of interoperability across the rural health landscape in Massachusetts. Through a Rural HIE Technical Assistance (TA) Hub Model, Rural Health Facilities (RHFs) receive support to strengthen HIE and interoperability capabilities, so that they can improve care coordination for rural patients and reduce administrative and operational burdens on staff. MeHI will award between $800,000 and $1.4 million for the first year of programming to each Regional TA Hub to advance HIE and interoperability initiatives within rural regions. Regional TA Hubs will provide support to regional RHFs via a variety of methods including project management, implementation support, consulting and optimization. In addition, one-time Rural Provider Implementation Awards of up to $100,000 will be available to support RHFs pursuing specific HIE and interoperability projects.
Rural SHINE-HT Program
The Rural Stronger & Healthier communities through INtegration of Emerging Health Tech (SHINE-HT) program is designed to help underserved rural health facilities (RHFs) in Massachusetts adopt healthtech solutions that support their workforce and improve their care delivery. The program will support pilot implementations of health technology solutions for selected use cases at eligible rural-designated Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other RHFs.
Rural-designated FQHCs will be eligible for funding in Year 1 of the program and other RHFs will be eligible beginning Year 2 of the program. Selected RHFs will receive both funding and technical assistance to support their pilot implementations. Technical assistance will be provided by a group of pre-qualified Implementation Partners with experience in designing and leading implementations of health technologies for community-based healthcare organizations. MeHI will award $250,000 to each selected RHF to cover their technology and staff costs, and selected Implementation Partners will be awarded $182,000 for each pilot implementation.
This information 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 $162,005,238.13 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.