On July 29, 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) opened the first round of graduate medical education (GME) expansion grant funding since statute §146.64 was updated by 2023 Wisconsin Act 185. The current DHS GME Expansion Grant Request for Applications (RFA) presents additional opportunities that current grantees should be aware of.
Current GME expansion grant recipients should consider increasing their number of grant-supported residency spots to the new maximum of five by applying during the RFA timeframe. Grant applications are due at noon on Aug. 27, 2024. The updates to the grants through enactment of Senate Bill 643 as 2023 Wisconsin Act 185 create opportunities for current grantees to advance the important goal of sustainability. By applying for an updated expansion grant, current grantees can also expand their program to increase the number of physicians for Wisconsin, which is much needed.
After this round of funding, also due to the updates achieved by Act 185, current Residency Expansion grantees will continue to receive the amount they received in the prior fiscal year. According to the new statute, this will continue until the grantee provides notice to DHS that they no longer wish to receive funds, that they no longer meet the grant criteria or DHS determines based on metrics submitted by the grantee (subject to DHS approval) that the program no longer meets grant criteria.
Act 185 removes a per-hospital cap of three residents that has prevented some residency programs from expanding further and requires DHS to renew funding for qualified grantees going forward, creating greater sustainability in the program. DHS partnered with WHA in support of Senate Bill 643.
The Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Grant Request for Applications (RFA) opportunity is found at the
DHS Public Notice site.
RFA applications are due no later than noon on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. The start date for grants awarded under this RFA is July 1, 2025.
Apply now to utilize a DHS GME expansion grant to grow Wisconsin’s physician workforce! Contact WHA Senior Vice President of Workforce and Clinical Practice
Ann Zenk if you have questions about “Grow Our Own” grants or any other health care workforce issues.