Opportunity Overview
Pennsylvania’s 2026 Conrad 30 application period opens October 1, 2026 and runs through December 18, 2026. The Pennsylvania Department of Health uses the program to improve access to primary care by supporting qualifying international medical graduates who hold J-1 visas and are in their last year of training.
What the Program Provides
This is a non-cash physician workforce benefit, not a conventional grant. Under Conrad 30, Pennsylvania may sponsor up to 30 physicians each year for a waiver of the J-1 two-year home-country residence requirement. Submission does not guarantee State sponsorship.
Service Commitment and Geography
In exchange for waiver support, the physician must practice for a total of three years in an approved Pennsylvania Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) or Medically Underserved Area (MUA). Pennsylvania states that the program focuses on primary care providers, although specialists may apply and are considered on an as-needed basis.
Application Control
The sponsoring entity is responsible for submitting a complete application and following the current Pennsylvania checklist. All applications must be submitted electronically to the Department’s physician-waiver program during the October 1 through December 18, 2026 application period. The current public page does not state a clock-time cutoff for December 18, so Atlas does not invent one.
Atlas Analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 93/100. This is a high-value physician recruitment and retention pathway for Pennsylvania healthcare providers in shortage and underserved areas. The benefit is access to an otherwise difficult-to-recruit physician workforce tied to a three-year service commitment rather than a cash award.
N9+ Direct Vendor Fit: 0/100. Conrad 30 provides immigration-waiver sponsorship and does not award funding for equipment, telehealth platforms, clinical devices or physician-service purchases. Atlas therefore does not manufacture an N9+ or QC Healthcare funding pathway.
Next Action
Before October 1, the sponsoring healthcare entity should obtain the current Pennsylvania Conrad 30 Policy, Checklist, Agreement of Participation and Practice Site Application; verify the physician’s J-1 and training status and the proposed Pennsylvania HPSA/MUA practice site; assemble the complete packet; and plan electronic submission during the October 1 through December 18, 2026 window.
Official source: Pennsylvania Department of Health — Physician Visa Waiver Programs.