Puʻulu Lapaʻau Mini‑Grant Program for Rural Healthcare Professional Wellness
Puʻulu Lapaʻau: The Hawaiʻi Program for Healthcare Professionals, in partnership with the John A. Burns School of Medicine Area Health Education Center (AHEC), invites proposals for mini‑grants supporting programs that promote the health and well-being of healthcare professionals across rural Hawaiʻi. This initiative is funded through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Rural Health Transformation Program.
Request For Proposals
Mini Grant Application Form (New Application Due Date: June 1, 2026)
Rural Grant FAQs
Q: Who is eligible for the minigrants?
A: Eligible applicants include:
- Rural healthcare organizations
- Rural healthcare facilities
- Professional associations
- Nonprofit organizations
- Educational institutions
- Other entities serving healthcare professionals in rural Hawaiʻi
Q: Who is NOT eligible for minigrants?
A: Ineligible applicants include:
- Facilities and organizations located in non-rural areas
- Entities or employees of entities already receiving funds from the CMS Rural Health Transformation Program, including pass-through entities or other subrecipients.
Q: What are allowable expenses?
A: Allowable expenses include:
- Personnel directly supporting program delivery
- Facilitation or training costs
- Program materials and supplies
- Technology platforms used for program delivery
- Evaluation and participant feedback collection
Q: What are NOT allowable expenses?
A: Ineligible expenses include:
- Capital construction or facility renovation
- Major equipment purchases
- Expenses unrelated to the proposed program
- Activities occurring outside the funding period
- Meals or amenities
- Promotional items and memorabilia, including models, gifts, and souvenirs
- Provider salaries, wages, or other payments
- Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems
- Lobbying any federal, state, or local government or legislative body. Recipients may lobby at their own expense if they can segregate grant funds from other financial resources used for lobbying.
Q: What is the maximum amount awarded?
A: The maximum amount awarded for each minigrant in year 1 is $15,000.
Q: How many minigrants will be awarded?
A: In grant year 1, five minigrants will be awarded
Q: What are the dates of each of the 5 grant years?
A: The 5 grant years are as follows:
- Year 1: March 1, 2026 – October 30, 2026
- Year 2: October 31, 2026 – October 30, 2027
- Year 3: October 31, 2027 – October 30, 2028
- Year 4: October 31, 2028 – October 30, 2029
- Year 6: October 31, 2029 – October 30, 2030
Q: May applicants reapply in the next grant year?
A: Yes, applicants may reapply each year, either to extend their previous grant project or start a new project
Q: What are some examples of eligible activities?
A: Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Wellness workshops or structured wellbeing programs
- Peer support initiatives
- Mindfulness or mental health programming
- Workplace culture or systems‑level wellbeing initiatives
- Physical health programs or events
- Structural workflow improvements
Q: How can I apply?
A: Applications can be found at www.hawaiiphp.org/wellness-grants
Q: When is the deadline for applications?
A: The application deadline for year 1 has passed. Pu’ulu Lapa’au will begin accepting applications for year 2 in early fall 2026. Check back for more information.
Q: How will applications be judged?
A: Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria and point system:
| Criteria | Description | Points |
| Program Impact | Potential to improve healthcare professional wellbeing. | 30 |
| Evidence Base | Use of evidence‑based or well‑supported approaches. | 20 |
| Accessibility and Reach | Ability to serve providers across Hawaiʻi. | 20 |
| Organizational Capacity | Experience implementing similar programs. | 15 |
| Budget and Cost Effectiveness | Clear and reasonable use of funds. | 15 |
Q: Where can I get more information?
A: Email operations@hawaiiphp.org with any questions.