§295o–1 Generally Applicable Provisions

Summary

Requires that grants and contracts be chosen by competition when appropriate. The Secretary must fund projects to test new ideas or add staff to meet health workforce goals. Contracts can be made with public or private groups. Applications are accepted from health profession schools, academic health centers, state or local governments, and other public or private nonprofit groups. For‑profit groups can apply if the Secretary finds it suitable. Recipients must give data the Secretary asks for. Data collection must consider age, sex, race, and ethnicity, and money from this program can pay for that data work. Programs must be checked each year, and continued funding depends on showing good progress. Training paid for by this program must meet accreditation and quality rules. Payments under any single award generally cannot last more than 5 years and need yearly approval and available appropriations. Most grant applications (not scholarships or loan programs, including those under sections 292, 292q, or 292s) must be reviewed by a peer group made mostly of nonfederal members who are balanced by sex, race, ethnicity, and region; HRSA’s Administrator runs that review. The Secretary can consider an applicant’s ability to improve future results, must carry out certain workforce studies under section 294n and parts D and E, and includes osteopathic schools and students when the law says “medical.”