Rural Communities Opioid Response Program - Planning (RCORP-Planning)
RCORP-Planning is the entry point to HRSA's rural opioid response portfolio. It pays for a rural consortium to build a partner network, assess substance use disorder needs and assets across the whole target service area, and write an action plan for new or expanded SUD services. It suits rural communities that are not yet ready for larger implementation grants.
Program facts
- Agency
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Assistance Listing
- 93.912
- Statutory authority
- Section 711(b)(5) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 912(b)(5))
- Award ceiling
- $100,000 per award for a two-year period of performance in the FY2026 NOFO
- Awards
- The FY2026 NOFO (HRSA-26-036) expected $4 million for about 40 grants
- Period of performance
- 2 years (September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2028 in the FY2026 cycle)
- Cost share
- None required; voluntary cost sharing is not considered in merit review
- Cycle
- In recent cycles RCORP NOFOs post in late spring with summer deadlines. The FY2026 RCORP-Planning NOFO was due July 8, 2026 for a September 1, 2026 start. The older RCORP-Implementation track is listed as inactive on HRSA's FY2025 awards page.
Program goals
- Build a network of committed partners that can establish and sustain SUD prevention, treatment and recovery services
- Produce an action plan that increases the number, types or capacity of rural SUD service access points
- Strengthen the capacity of local providers to deliver comprehensive care
- Engage people with lived experience in assessment and planning
Scoring rubric
Need20
A clearly defined, exclusively rural target service area, data on SUD and OUD needs across the whole area (or a plan to collect it), and a case for why federal funds are needed for network development.
Response: Overview10
Activities that address all three core objectives, stakeholder engagement including people with lived experience, a realistic work plan and a credible plan for likely obstacles.
Response: Network building10
A multi-sector coalition, a structure for joint decisions and shared tracking, and support for partners to take part in assessment and planning.
Response: Community assessment and action planning5
A plan to assess every required element of SUD needs and assets and to turn findings into a practical action plan.
Response: Service provider preparation5
Activities that close specific gaps in local service delivery capacity identified through the assessment.
Performance reporting and evaluation10
Outcomes tied to program objectives, a plan for shared network goals and data use, and capacity to collect and report project data.
Impact15
Likely improvement in local SUD service systems, public health impact across the full service area, and a network that continues after federal funding.
Resources and capabilities15
Organizational capacity, a real connection to the rural area, at least 50% of network partners located in the target area, a variety of partner types and qualified staff.
Support requested10
A reasonable budget for each year, adequate key staff time, and budget support for partner participation and post-award sustainability.
Point values from the FY2026 RCORP-Planning NOFO (HRSA-26-036). HRSA staff can add 2 priority points for applicants without an active RCORP award and 2 more for those never funded by RCORP. Confirm against the current posting.
Eligibility
- Domestic public or private, nonprofit or for-profit entities, including state, county, city and tribal governments
- Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education and small businesses
- Activities may serve only HRSA-designated rural counties and rural census tracts, confirmed with the Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer
- At least two network partners besides the applicant must each provide a letter of support
- Funds support planning and preparation only, not direct service delivery
Required attachments
- Attachment 1: General project information, including the target rural service area
- Attachment 2: Work plan
- Attachment 3: Project organizational chart
- Attachment 4: Staffing plan and job descriptions
- Attachment 5: Biographical sketches
- Attachment 6: Letters of support from at least two network partners
- Attachment 7: EIN/UEI information for multiple applications (as needed)
- Attachment 8: CMS Rural Health Transformation Program details (as needed)
Formatting rules
- 30-page limit for the narrative, budget narrative and counted attachments
- 12-point readable font such as Arial or Times New Roman; footnotes and tables may be 10-point
- Single-spaced, left-aligned, black ink, 1-inch margins on 8.5 x 11 pages
- Footer on every page with the organization name and page number
Why applications lose points
- A target service area that includes a county or census tract not designated rural, which means the application is not reviewed
- Requesting funds for direct service delivery, which planning grants do not allow
- Fewer than two letters of support from proposed network partners
- Not addressing all three core objectives
- A network dominated by partners located outside the target rural area
How ELIXIR CONSUMERS helps with RCORP-Planning
- 1.Checks every county and census tract in your proposed service area against the rural designation list you export from the Eligibility Analyzer and flags any that are not eligible
- 2.Drafts the Need section from your county overdose, treatment capacity and survey data stored in the vault, with each figure cited
- 3.Tracks partner letters of support and the share of partners located inside the target area
- 4.Separates planning costs from direct service costs in the budget narrative so unallowable lines are caught early
More healthcare breakdowns
- CCBHC-IA Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Improvement and Advancement Grant (CCBHC-IA)ALN 93.696
- DFC Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support ProgramALN 93.276
- HRSA NAP Health Center Program New Access Points (NAP)ALN 93.224
- HRSA SAC Health Center Program Service Area Competition (SAC)ALN 93.224
Questions, answered
Is RCORP-Implementation still running?
HRSA's FY2025 awards page lists RCORP-Implementation as inactive. RCORP-Planning and other current tracks are posted on HRSA's opioid response pages.
Can a for-profit organization apply?
Yes. The FY2026 Planning NOFO lists for-profit organizations and small businesses among eligible applicants.
Can we serve a partially rural county?
Only the HRSA-designated rural census tracts within it. Including any non-rural area means the application will not be reviewed.
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