HHS Digital Health Innovation: Healthcare Technology Funding 2026
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) supports digital health innovation through multiple pathways, as outlined in the agency's Strategic Plan for 2022-2026: NIH and AHRQ research grants for technology development and validation, and CMS payment models that incentivize technology adoption for improved care delivery.
Research Funding Programs
NIH Digital Health Research
Funding Opportunity: PA-24-266 - Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care
Mechanism: R21/R33 Phased Innovation Award
Structure: R21 Phase (up to 2 years, developmental activities) followed by R33 Phase (up to 3 years, expanded research)
Status: Expired early as of March 10, 2026 (NOT-HS-26-008). No further applications accepted.
Focus: Biomarkers from digital health technology, clinical outcomes from remote monitoring, support for clinical trials integration, remote patient monitoring innovations.
AHRQ Digital Healthcare Research
Agency: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Focus: Test promising digital healthcare interventions, improve healthcare service delivery quality, point-of-care applications, digital mental health interventions.
Priorities: Healthcare quality improvement, patient safety, healthcare efficiency, access to care, health equity through technology.
Website: digital.ahrq.gov and ahrq.gov/funding
CMS Innovation Programs
Rural Health Transformation Program
Launch: Fiscal Year 2026
Total Funding: $50 billion over 5 years ($10 billion per year), as announced by CMS in February 2026
Technology Component: Foster use of innovative technologies, promote efficient care delivery, increase access to digital health tools, support for rural facilities/providers/patients.
Approach: States submit transformation plans with technology integration encouraged. Telehealth and remote monitoring emphasized.
CMS ACCESS Model
Full Name: Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions
Launch: July 5, 2026 (applications due April 1, 2026 for first performance period)
Duration: 10-year voluntary payment model (applications accepted on rolling basis through 2033, per CMS Innovation Center)
Purpose: Incentivize technology use for chronic condition management through value-based payment approach.
Technology Focus: Chronic disease management platforms, remote monitoring devices, data integration systems, patient engagement tools, analytics and reporting.
Digital Health Technology Areas
Supported Technologies: Telehealth platforms, remote patient monitoring, mobile health (mHealth) applications, wearable devices and sensors, clinical decision support systems, EHR integration, patient portals and engagement tools, AI/ML for diagnostics and treatment, digital therapeutics, virtual reality for therapy.
Mental Health Solutions: Digital mental health interventions, telepsychiatry platforms, mental health apps, crisis intervention technology, behavioral health monitoring.
How to Apply
Research Programs (NIH/AHRQ)
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Identify appropriate funding opportunity announcement (FOA) via grants.nih.gov or ahrq.gov/funding
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Register in NIH systems (eRA Commons, ASSIST)
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Develop research proposal addressing review criteria
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Submit through Grants.gov
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Peer review process (typically 6-9 months)
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Award decisions
For SBIR/STTR health technology funding, see the NIH SBIR/STTR program.
CMS Innovation Models
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Monitor CMS Innovation Center announcements at innovation.cms.gov
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Review model requirements and eligibility
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Submit notice of intent or formal application
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Participate in selection process
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Complete implementation planning
Success Tips
Clinical Partnerships: For research grants, partner with clinical sites to demonstrate feasibility and ensure access to patient populations for testing.
Patient Outcomes Focus: Emphasize measurable patient outcomes (clinical endpoints, quality of life, cost reduction) rather than just technology deployment metrics.
Health Equity: Address how your technology improves access and outcomes for rural, underserved, or disadvantaged populations (major HHS priority).
Interoperability: Show how your solution integrates with existing EHR systems and health IT infrastructure using standards like FHIR.
Robust Evaluation: Include comprehensive evaluation plan with clinically meaningful endpoints and validated measurement instruments.
For CMS Programs: Demonstrate existing technology-enabled care coordination capabilities and chronic disease management experience.
Contact Information
NIH Grants: grants.nih.gov (search PA-24-266 for digital healthcare FOA)
AHRQ: digital.ahrq.gov and ahrq.gov/funding
CMS Innovation Center: innovation.cms.gov (ACCESS Model info available July 2026)
HHS Telehealth Resources: telehealth.hhs.gov/funding-opportunities
Common Questions
HHS funds projects in AI-powered diagnostics, telehealth platforms, electronic health records innovation, health data analytics, clinical decision support systems, patient engagement technology, and public health surveillance tools. Funding supports projects from research through pilot implementation. Priority areas include reducing health disparities, improving care for underserved populations, and enhancing pandemic preparedness through innovative digital health solutions.
Eligible applicants include hospitals, health systems, universities, research institutions, state and local health departments, nonprofits, and mid-market companies. Specific eligibility varies by funding opportunity announcement. Many programs encourage public-private partnerships between healthcare providers and technology companies. Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed solution addresses a specific healthcare challenge, complies with HIPAA and other regulations, and has a clear path to sustainable implementation.
HHS Digital Health Innovation funding supports a range of healthcare technology projects including AI-powered diagnostic tools, telehealth platforms, electronic health record innovations, patient engagement applications, and health data analytics systems. Projects that address health equity, interoperability, and cybersecurity in healthcare settings receive particular attention in the evaluation process.
Eligible applicants typically include healthcare providers, health IT companies, academic medical centers, research institutions, and public health organizations. mid-market companies may also qualify through SBIR/STTR mechanisms within HHS. Applications generally require demonstrating how the proposed technology will improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, or enhance healthcare delivery efficiency.
References
- PA-24-266: Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care. National Institutes of Health. View source
- NOT-HS-26-008: Notice of Early Expiration PA-24-266. National Institutes of Health. View source
- ACCESS (Advancing Chronic Care with Effective, Scalable Solutions) Model. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. View source
- Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. View source
- CMS Launches Landmark $50 Billion Rural Health Transformation Program. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. View source
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