Please find commonly asked questions and guidance below and refer to the state’s RHTP webpage for more information on the survey.  

Do we need to fill out the Intent to Apply survey to be invited to apply for future funding? 

• No – this Intent to Apply survey is non-binding and will not affect your eligibility to apply for the Catalyst Awards through the formal Request for Application (RFA), anticipated in early 2026. The survey is intended to gather key planning information to help us plan for Phase 1 of the program. Participation in this survey is independent of the RFA process, which will be open to all eligible participants.  

Do I have to be a nonprofit to be able to apply? 

• No – this Intent to Apply survey is open to any organization that provides health-related activities in rural or remote/frontier areas of the state and are in good financial standing with the state. There is no express exclusion of organizations that do not identify as nonprofits.  

What is the difference between the Catalyst Awards and Immediate Impact Awards?  

• These are two distinct funding pathways for Phase 1. Catalyst Awards will be distributed through a formal Request for Application process. Immediate Impact awards are reserved for a small number of projects identified by OHA for their significant and immediate impact across rural Oregon. There will not be an application for this fund distribution pathway.  

The following questions are specific examples, but the answers reflect broader guidance that applies to all activities and populations considered under the Catalyst Awards program. These responses illustrate how the program prioritizes strategic alignment and population impact, rather than formal rankings. 

Where does telehealth list in the rank of priorities?   

• All tools and activities proposed under the four state-led initiatives (i.e., Regional Partnerships, Healthy Communities, Workforce, and Technology) were selected based on their strategic importance to the goals of each initiative. No formal ranking of these tools or activities has been made.   

What is the state’s position on maternal health? 

• While activities haven’t been ranked, the state has identified priority populations for health-related efforts under the program. The four populations of focus are maternal and child health, co-occurring behavioral health conditions, individuals aging in place, and chronic disease. For the Catalyst Awards’ RFA, applicants will be required to demonstrate that their activities serve at least one population of focus. 

Additional FAQs and guidance can be found on the RHTP website.