Networking
Hospitals can maximize their purchasing power by organizing into networks or consortiums. Some eligible hospitals are already part of an existing network, which can be funded directly. The SORH makes individual awards to those hospitals that do not apply through a network or consortium. It is highly recommended that eligible hospitals pool their grant funds so they can jointly purchase technical assistance, services, training, and information technology. SORHs may help eligible hospitals in forming consortiums and in purchasing the goods and services needed.
To Apply
Eligible hospitals are notified each year by their State Office of Rural Health (SORH) when applications are available (usually in January/February). The SORH collects the individual hospital applications and completes an application for the state. The federal Office of Rural Health Policy reviews the state applications and notifies each SORH of their award prior to the grant cycle beginning. The SHIP grant cycle is September 1 to August 31 of each year. The SORH then notifies individual hospitals of their award (calculated by dividing the total award by the number of applicants, less 5% which contributes to the costs associated with administering the grant).
