Connecticut Is Investing in Rural Health. Here's How to Get Involved.
- Connie
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Rural communities in Connecticut face a persistent challenge: access to coordinated healthcare is harder to come by, and the consequences show up in avoidable hospital visits, gaps in chronic disease management, and care that too often falls through the cracks.
The state is doing something about it, and there's funding available right now for providers who want to be part of the solution.
What Is the NOFO?
The Connecticut Office of Health Strategy (OHS) has issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Rural Health Transformation Program. The program is focused on expanding AI-enabled remote patient monitoring and strengthening care coordination in rural settings.
A total of $1.8 million is available in Year 1, with individual awards ranging from $100,000 to $1,000,000. Up to five grants will be awarded, and funding can extend up to five years through a phased, performance-based model.
The application deadline is July 7, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants include:
Hospitals and health systems
Federally qualified health centers (FQHCs)
Behavioral health providers
Independent medical practices
Municipal and state health departments
Academic medical centers
Multi-entity consortia with a clinical lead
One important note: technology vendors may participate as subcontractors but cannot serve as lead applicants.
Where Connie Comes In
This program isn't just about funding technology; it's about integrating that technology into a care ecosystem that actually works. OHS has specifically named full integration with Connie, Connecticut's health information exchange, as a requirement for funded care models.
Connie connects providers across the state, giving care teams access to real-time patient data regardless of where care was delivered. For rural providers taking on remote patient monitoring and AI-enabled care coordination, Connie is the connective tissue that makes those tools clinically meaningful.
Connie gives rural care teams the real-time data infrastructure to make remote monitoring and AI-enabled coordination actually work, including:
Real-time care alerts
Consolidated patient health summaries
Medication management
Access to patient records across systems, regardless of where care was delivered
Not yet connected to Connie? That's okay. Applicants don't need to be connected to Connie prior to applying, but awarded programs will be required to connect and share data with Connie as part of their participation. Grant funding may also be available to support that integration and technical setup.
If you're considering applying, thinking through how your initiative will leverage Connie's capabilities is a smart early step.
Next Steps
Questions about the NOFO must be submitted to RHTP@ct.gov by June 9, 2026 using the subject line "CT RHTP Q&A."
Ready to learn more and access the full application materials? Visit the OHS NOFO page to download the application, budget workbook, and full program details.
