Hawaiʻi Rural Pilina MAMA Grant — Maternal Health Advancement through Mālama & Action
The Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association is accepting applications for Rural Pilina MAMA Grants supporting practical, community-driven workforce projects in rural Hawaiʻi. The program is supported through Rural Health Transformation Program HOMERUN workforce funding and provides $20,000 awards for projects that strengthen the rural maternal and infant health workforce.
Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funding remains available. HSRHA states that applications are reviewed as received and anticipates awarding up to ten $20,000 grants each year, contingent on available funding.
Eligible applicants: Hawaiʻi-based organizations, clinics, healthcare practices, community groups, cultural practitioners, collaborative partnerships, and individuals working with a fiscal sponsor. Projects must primarily benefit eligible rural Hawaiʻi communities, including Hawaiʻi County, Maui County, Kauaʻi County, and designated rural Oʻahu ZIP codes.
Required program fit: every project must demonstrate a clear benefit to the rural maternal and infant health workforce and address at least one published priority: workforce development and sustainability; collaboration and care coordination; perinatal behavioral health; trust-centered and trauma-informed care; access and continuity of care; or community strengths and rural inclusion.
Direct services may be included when the service model intentionally strengthens workforce capacity or practice. A proposal that simply continues routine services without a defined workforce strategy or outcome does not qualify. Partnerships are encouraged when roles are clear, with one organization serving as lead applicant and fiscal agent.
Project period: projects should generally be completed within 12 months unless HSRHA approves another period. Work may begin only after the grant agreement is fully executed and the approved start date has arrived; pre-award costs are not reimbursable.
Federal funding restrictions: grant funds may not be used for food, beverages, catering, gift cards, prizes, cash incentives, lobbying or political activities, fundraising, or pre-award expenses. HSRHA reserves the right to determine allowability of proposed costs.
Atlas Opportunity Score: 97/100. This is a strong rural maternal-health opportunity because the eligibility rules are broad, the workforce priorities are explicit, the award amount is meaningful for focused training or care-coordination work, and applications remain open while funds are available.
Potential applicant: Molokai Community Health Center is a strong conditional candidate because it serves an eligible rural Maui County community and already provides clinical, behavioral-health, and maternal/child-facing services. Any application should be applicant-directed and built around a specific workforce need, measurable activities, and a defensible 12-month implementation plan.
Official source:
Hawaiʻi State Rural Health Association — Rural Pilina MAMA Grant