Opportunity Information: Apply for HRSA 26 096
The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number HRSA 26-096) is a discretionary grant program run by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to help health professions schools provide scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The overall purpose is to reduce financial barriers for students who may otherwise struggle to enter and complete professional health training, which in turn supports a stronger and more diverse health workforce.
Funding is awarded to eligible schools and organizations so they can distribute scholarship support directly to qualifying students enrolled in approved health professions programs. The grant is designed specifically for institutions that educate future health professionals, with the expectation that scholarship dollars will be used to lessen students' cost of attendance and promote persistence through graduation in demanding, often high-cost programs.
A wide range of health professions programs are eligible under this opportunity. Medicine programs leading to the Doctor of allopathic medicine (MD) or Doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) are included, as are dentistry programs leading to a Doctor of dentistry degree. The program also covers several other doctoral-level health disciplines, including Doctor of veterinary medicine, Doctor of optometry, Doctor of podiatry medicine, Doctor of pharmacy, and Doctor of chiropractic medicine.
In addition to clinical doctoral programs, SDS supports behavioral and mental health graduate training. Eligible fields include graduate degrees in clinical psychology, clinical social work, gerontological counseling, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and rehabilitation counseling. Public health-related graduate programs are also eligible, including graduate degrees in health administration and graduate degrees in public health.
The opportunity extends to allied health education at both the bachelors and graduate levels in certain disciplines. Eligible allied health areas include bachelors and graduate degrees in dietetics; graduate degrees in audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech pathology; as well as bachelors and graduate degrees in dental hygiene. It also includes bachelors and graduate degrees in medical laboratory technology and a bachelors degree in radiologic technology.
Nursing education is covered at the associate, bachelors, and graduate levels, but the program specifically excludes pre-nursing. Midwifery programs are eligible as well, including certified nursing and non-nursing graduate degrees in midwifery, while pre-nursing and pre-midwifery are not eligible. Physician assistant education is included through graduate degree programs in physician assistant studies.
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, along with Native American tribal governments (federally recognized) and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). The listing also allows for "other" applicants, indicating HRSA may permit additional organization types as defined in the full funding notice. The program is categorized under the Health funding activity area and is associated with CFDA number 93.925.
The application deadline listed for this funding opportunity is July 28, 2026. HRSA anticipates making about 80 awards under this competition, with an award ceiling of $650,000 per award. The funding instrument type is a grant, meaning recipients are expected to administer the scholarship program consistent with federal requirements and HRSA program rules, rather than delivering a fee-for-service contract deliverable.Apply for HRSA 26 096
- The Health Resources and Services Administration in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.925.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-28. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $650,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 80 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Private institutions of higher education, Others.
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Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) - FAQs
What is the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) opportunity?
The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) opportunity is a discretionary grant program run by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It provides funding to eligible schools and organizations so they can offer scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are enrolled in approved health professions programs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this SDS program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HRSA 26-096.
What is the main purpose of SDS funding?
The purpose of SDS is to reduce financial barriers for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who might otherwise struggle to enter and complete professional health training. By helping students persist through graduation, the program supports a stronger and more diverse health workforce.
Who receives the SDS grant funds: students or schools?
Funding is awarded to eligible schools and organizations. Those recipients then distribute scholarship support directly to qualifying students enrolled in approved health professions programs.
How are SDS scholarship dollars expected to be used?
The scholarships are expected to lessen students' cost of attendance and promote persistence through graduation in demanding and often high-cost health professions programs.
Which medical degree programs are eligible under SDS?
Eligible medical programs include Doctor of allopathic medicine (MD) and Doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) programs.
Are dentistry programs eligible for SDS?
Yes. Dentistry programs leading to a Doctor of dentistry degree are included.
Which other doctoral-level clinical health programs are eligible?
Other eligible doctoral-level health disciplines include Doctor of veterinary medicine, Doctor of optometry, Doctor of podiatry medicine, Doctor of pharmacy, and Doctor of chiropractic medicine.
Does SDS support behavioral and mental health graduate programs?
Yes. SDS supports behavioral and mental health graduate training in fields such as clinical psychology, clinical social work, gerontological counseling, marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling, and rehabilitation counseling.
Are public health-related graduate programs eligible?
Yes. Eligible public health-related graduate programs include graduate degrees in health administration and graduate degrees in public health.
What allied health programs are eligible under SDS?
SDS extends to allied health education at both the bachelors and graduate levels in certain disciplines. Eligible areas include bachelors and graduate degrees in dietetics; graduate degrees in audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech pathology; and bachelors and graduate degrees in dental hygiene. It also includes bachelors and graduate degrees in medical laboratory technology and a bachelors degree in radiologic technology.
Are nursing programs eligible, and is pre-nursing allowed?
Nursing education is covered at the associate, bachelors, and graduate levels. However, pre-nursing is specifically excluded.
Are midwifery programs eligible, and is pre-midwifery allowed?
Midwifery programs are eligible, including certified nursing and non-nursing graduate degrees in midwifery. Pre-midwifery is not eligible.
Are physician assistant programs eligible?
Yes. Physician assistant education is included through graduate degree programs in physician assistant studies.
Who can apply for the SDS grant?
Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments). The listing also indicates that "other" applicants may be permitted as defined in the full funding notice.
What federal program identifier or CFDA number is associated with SDS?
The SDS opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.925.
What funding activity area is SDS categorized under?
The program is categorized under the Health funding activity area.
What is the application deadline for this SDS opportunity?
The listed application deadline is July 28, 2026.
How many awards does HRSA anticipate making?
HRSA anticipates making about 80 awards under this competition.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $650,000 per award.
What type of funding instrument is used for SDS?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
What does it mean that SDS is a grant rather than a contract?
Because SDS uses a grant funding instrument, recipients are expected to administer the scholarship program consistent with federal requirements and HRSA program rules, rather than delivering a fee-for-service contract deliverable.
Is SDS intended for institutions that educate future health professionals?
Yes. The grant is designed specifically for institutions that educate future health professionals, with the expectation that scholarship funds will support students in approved health professions programs.
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Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (HRSA 26 096) also looked into and applied for these:
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| Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program Apply for HRSA 26 105 Funding Number: HRSA 26 105 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $148,000 |
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| Public Health Strategies to Address Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: The National Healthy Brain Initiative, BOLD Public Health Centers of Excellence, and Public Health Adoption Accelerator Apply for CDC RFA DP 26 0227 Funding Number: CDC RFA DP 26 0227 Agency: Centers for Disease Control - NCCDPHP Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Apply for SM 26 020 Funding Number: SM 26 020 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
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| Promoting the Integration of Primary and Behavioral Health Care: States Apply for SM 26 021 Funding Number: SM 26 021 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
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| Statewide Consumer Network Apply for SM 26 027 Funding Number: SM 26 027 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Assertive Community Treatment Apply for SM 26 022 Funding Number: SM 26 022 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Rural Emergency Medical Services Training Apply for TI 26 004 Funding Number: TI 26 004 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Statewide Family Network Apply for SM 26 028 Funding Number: SM 26 028 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Behavioral Health Mobile Crisis Team Partnerships Apply for SM 26 029 Funding Number: SM 26 029 Agency: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Adminis Category: Health Funding Amount: $750,000 |
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