California Health Careers Exploration Program (HCEP)

California HCAI grants for organizations that provide early exposure to health professions and help underrepresented and disadvantaged individuals pursue healthcare careers.

FundingUp to $25,000 per organizational award

DeadlineOctober 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM PT

Last verifiedAugust 29, 2026

Required next actionVerify 501(c)(3) status through the California Department of Justice Registry of Charitable Trusts, prepare proof and the organization website URL, and submit by October 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM PT. HCAI also offers a technical-assistance webinar September 1 at 11:00 AM PT.

Broad Eligibility

Qualifying California organizations meeting the 2026 HCEP grant-guide requirements. HCAI states that individuals are not eligible and that 2026 applicants must verify 501(c)(3) status through the California Department of Justice Registry of Charitable Trusts, upload proof, and provide an organizational website URL.

Atlas Analysis

A useful California healthcare-workforce pipeline opportunity, especially for nonprofit organizations and educational partners with established student outreach. The award size is modest and the program is not directly focused on rural care delivery or clinical technology, so Atlas appropriately ranks it below California's larger Rural Health Transformation opportunities while retaining it as actionable workforce intelligence.

The California Department of Health Care Access and Information is accepting 2026 Health Careers Exploration Program applications from organizations that provide early exposure to health professions through conferences, workshops, career exploration and related activities. HCAI states that HCEP is intended to expand healthcare career awareness among underrepresented and disadvantaged individuals and strengthen a more culturally and linguistically diverse workforce.

Organizations may request up to $25,000. Individuals are not eligible. For 2026, applicants must verify 501(c)(3) status through the California Department of Justice Registry of Charitable Trusts, upload proof of that verification, and provide an organizational website URL. HCAI anticipates announcing awards in January 2027.

Source verificationOfficial government source · hcai.ca.govAtlas last verified this record August 29, 2026. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗