Nebraska RHTP 5.3 — Modification of Existing Clinical Facilities for Mental Health Crisis

Nebraska DHHS is making $5.5 million available through RHTP Initiative 5.3 for rural behavioral-health crisis capacity, including equipment and minor renovations in existing hospitals, community health centers, rural emergency hospitals and Tribal health facilities. Applications are due August 31, 2026.

Funding$5,500,000 total available. Individual awards are determined by DHHS on a first-come, first-served basis and depend on project scope and remaining funds; the RFA does not publish a per-applicant ceiling.

DeadlineAugust 31, 2026. The controlling RFA does not state a submission time. Applications are reviewed first-come, first-served until the grant cycle closes or funds are exhausted.

Last verifiedAugust 30, 2026

Required next actionSubmit immediately. Confirm the applicant is an eligible Nebraska local government, Native American Tribe, institution of higher education or nonprofit entity serving a rural area and delivering eligible crisis behavioral-health services; define the existing clinical space to be modified or the equipment needed; ensure the project expands crisis stabilization, crisis response, psychiatric services or substance-use withdrawal capacity; prepare the cover sheet, work plan, budget and Subrecipient Pre-Award Questionnaire; confirm all purchases can be completed by October 30, 2026; and submit the full application package through the method specified by Nebraska DHHS. Because review is first-come, first-served, do not wait for the deadline.

Broad Eligibility

Eligible applicants include Nebraska local governments, Native American Tribes, institutions of higher education and nonprofit entities that are located in Nebraska, provide services in Nebraska and serve a rural area. The RFA is intended for entities with existing building space needing minor alterations or renovation, or equipment needs, to expand eligible behavioral-health crisis services such as acute or sub-acute psychiatric care, crisis stabilization, crisis response, substance-use withdrawal management or social detoxification.

Atlas Analysis

One of Nebraska's strongest currently actionable healthcare grants because it directly supports rural hospitals, community health centers, rural emergency hospitals, Tribal health facilities and behavioral-health providers with infrastructure and equipment needed for crisis care. Allowable uses include patient-space reconfiguration, security and safety improvements, ADA upgrades, generators, medical and emergency equipment, mobile crisis vehicles, electronic tablets and new EMR functionality required for crisis services. Salaries, service delivery, new construction, major building expansion and complete replacement of an existing certified EMR are not allowable. The first-come review structure and October 30 purchase deadline make execution readiness critical.

Source verificationOfficial government source · dhhs.ne.govAtlas last verified this record August 30, 2026. Always use the funder's current application materials, amendments and portal instructions as the controlling source.View source and application materials ↗