Consortium of Rural States Invites Pilot Funding Applications
LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 15, 2026) — Backed by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences’ (NCATS) Clinical & Translational Science Award (CTSA) program, the Consortium of Rural States (CORES) is launching a new, dynamic pilot process designed to spark collaborative translational science across our multi institutional network.
Letters of intent are due July 15, 2026.
This initiative accelerates the development, testing, and implementation of innovative solutions to improve health outcomes, while building strong collaborative pathways across CORES to drive meaningful care model transformation in rural communities and position these efforts for national scaling through external funding.
Whether you’re a clinical researcher, data scientist, implementation scientist, community-engaged scholar, or innovator with a passion for rural health, CORES wants your expertise.
CORES includes the CTSA hubs at the University of Utah Health, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, University of Arizona, University of Kansas, University of Kentucky, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, University of Iowa, Dartmouth College/Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Medical University of South Carolina, and Penn State University.
A Fresh, Phased Pilot Model
This year, CORES is introducing an innovative, teambuilding–first approach to project development. In Phase 1, interested investigators apply to join cross-institutional teams organized around shared translational challenges specific to our focus areas (see below). In Phase 2, the assembled teams collaborate to develop their projects, refining questions and co-creating proposals designed for real-world impact in rural settings. Finally, in Phase 3, funded projects are executed; teams work together to put their plans into action with ongoing support from the CORES consortium.
Why Participate?
- Join a cross institutional research team spanning nine CTSA hubs
- Co-develop high-impact translational science projects
- Benefit from focused support for Research Program Development and Team Science training
- Advance solutions with measurable real-world outcomes
- Contribute to improving health for all in rural communities nationwide
Focus Areas
- Data & Technology Infrastructure for Rural Health
Harnessing AI, remote monitoring, data integration, and real-world data pipelines to create scalable, tech enabled solutions that improve health outcomes across rural environments.
- Chronic Disease Prevention, Diagnosis & Management
Emphasizing partnerships with Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs) and clear translational and implementation strategies to improve chronic disease care in rural communities.
- Maternal & Infant Health
Innovative approaches to overcoming barriers in access to maternal and infant care, with an emphasis on improving outcomes for rural populations.
Media Contact: Mallory Profeta, mallory.profeta@uky.edu
