Nursing Home Staffing Campaign

HHS-CMS Posted CMS-2V2-26-001

Close Date: March 27, 2026 3 days remaining

Description

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is committed to improving safety and quality of care in the nation’s nursing homes. Nursing home staffing is a critical factor for improving care for nursing home residents. However, some nursing homes struggle to hire enough nursing staff to meet each resident’s needs. Additionally, state survey agencies, which are responsible for inspecting nursing homes for compliance with federal regulations, have also had challenges hiring nurses to conduct these inspections. The Nursing Home Staffing Campaign (NHSC) is aimed at increasing the availability of nurses to work in the nursing home environment, such as in qualifying nursing homes or in an oversight capacity for a state inspection agency. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is focused on helping to recruit registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses (LPNs) to work in nursing homes by offering financial incentives. Through this NOFO, CMS is accepting applications for cooperative agreements to entities that will administer financial incentives, such as loan repayment and stipends to RNs and LPNs, to work for three years in a qualifying nursing home or in an oversight role with a state agency.

Eligibility

Small nonprofit businesses
Faith-based organizations that meet the eligibility requirements
National associations for nursing schools
National associations for nurses
National associations for nursing students

Funding Details

Award Floor: $1,760,000.00
Award Ceiling: $20,000,000.00
Total Estimated Funding: $80,000,000.00
Expected Awards: 15

Key Dates

Posted: February 9, 2026
Closes: March 27, 2026 3d
Archive Date: April 26, 2026

Agency Information

Agency Name: HHS-CMS
Agency Code: HHS-CMS
Funding Instrument: Other

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