Everything You Need to Know About the FY 26 Service Area Competition Grant

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s FY 2026 Service Area Competition (SAC) grant provides funding to support comprehensive primary health care in underserved areas. Applications are open now.

Key Changes and Highlights

• Expanded Eligibility: Federally Qualified Health Center look-alikes and nonprofit organizations may now apply.
• Award Periods: Grants can span one or four years, replacing the previous three-year maximum.
• Operational Deadlines: All proposed sites must open within 120 days of Notice of Award and operate full hours and services within one year.
• Patient Targets: Applicants must project serving at least 75 percent of the SAAT patient target or face funding reductions.
• Cybersecurity Requirements: A NIST-based cybersecurity plan is now mandatory for all current grantees.

Funding Priorities and Services

HRSA will give funding priority to sites that demonstrate:

• A positive or neutral three-year patient trend.
• Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) recognition.
• Service offerings in nutrition counseling, cancer screening, chronic disease management, and mental health.

Compliance and Governance Requirements

To remain eligible and competitive, applicants must ensure:

• The CEO, CFO, and CMO are direct employees, not contractors.
• Sliding fee schedules and nominal fees for patients at or below 100 percent of the Federal Poverty Level are documented.
• The board must reflect the community and avoid conflicts of interest.
• Required reports (PIMS, NOMS, SPARS, EHB) are up to date.

Top Tips for a Competitive Application

1. Early Preparation: Begin SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations immediately, as they can take several weeks.
2. Regular Updates: Monitor the EHB for any supplemental information deadlines.
3. Clear Budget Justification: Align your federal request with SAAT-advertised funding proportions and document non-federal resources.
4. Community Partnerships: Secure letters of support from Primary Care Associations and Health Center Controlled Networks to demonstrate collaboration.
5. Watch our SAC Webinar

Ready to Start Your SAC Application?

Burrows Consulting specializes in guiding health centers through HRSA’s most complex grant processes. We will help you navigate Service Area Competition from start to finish. 

Contact us today to schedule a strategy session and maximize your chances of success.

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