HHS Digital Health Innovation: Healthcare Technology Funding 2026

The Department of Health and Human Services supports digital health innovation through multiple pathways: 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)

Expiration: June 22, 2026

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)

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 2026

Duration: 10-year voluntary payment model

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)

1. Identify appropriate funding opportunity announcement (FOA) via grants.nih.gov or ahrq.gov/funding

2. Register in NIH systems (eRA Commons, ASSIST)

3. Develop research proposal addressing review criteria

4. Submit through Grants.gov

5. Peer review process (typically 6-9 months)

6. Award decisions

CMS Innovation Models

1. Monitor CMS Innovation Center announcements at innovation.cms.gov

2. Review model requirements and eligibility

3. Submit notice of intent or formal application

4. Participate in selection process

5. 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