HCAI webinar details SHIP grant eligibility, application steps and Jan. 24, 2025 deadline

On Dec. 16, 2024, the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) hosted a webinar to explain the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) application process, eligibility criteria and deadlines. The application cycle opened Dec. 9 and closes Jan. 24, 2025, at 3 p.m.; HCAI staff warned that failure to meet federal deadlines could put grant funds at risk.

The webinar provides operational guidance for small rural hospitals seeking SHIP grants, which are funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Myles Bass, SHIP program officer at HCAI, said the program’s goal is “to assist small rural hospitals in meeting value based payment and care goals through investments in hardware, software, and training.” He emphasized the upcoming application-close timeline, saying, “that deadline is very important” because of a tighter federal turnaround this year.

SHIP awards are paid on a program-year cycle that runs June 1 through May 31. HCAI said final award…