Skip to main content
South Dakota Department of Health
South Dakota Department of Health

2025 Rural Healthcare Facility Recruitment Assistance Program

OPEN May 1, 2025 | Application Due Date: December 31, 2025

The Department of Health (DOH) is excited to announce the availability of the Rural Healthcare Facility Recruitment Assistance Program (RHFRAP) 2025 incentive program. This program provides a $10,000 incentive payment to eligible health professionals who complete a three-year, full-time service commitment in a community with a population of 10,000 or less.

The incentive payment is split between the state and the employing facility depending on community size. Communities with a population of 2,500 or less pay 25% of the $10,000 incentive, and communities over 2,500 pay 50% of the $10,000 incentive.

Eligible healthcare professionals include dietitians, certified medical laboratory professionals, nurses (RN/LPN), occupational therapists, paramedics, pharmacists, physical therapists, radiologic technologists, respiratory therapists, speech therapists, healthcare social workers, and dental hygienists. Please note that there is a limit of three participants per facility each year.

Because program slots are limited and operate on a first-come, first-served basis, facilities are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible on or after May 1st. 

View the Application Form and Learn More

View Frequently Asked Questions 

For more information, please contact the Office of Rural Health at 1-800-738-2301. Applications can be mailed to the Office of Rural Health, 600 East Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501. The preferred submission would be to scan and email the application to DeAnn.Sprenger@state.sd.us.