HRSA-26-077
Chronic Care Telehealth Centers of Excellence
Summary
Chronic Care Telehealth Centers for Excellence Program
This program funds academic medical centers to develop and operate integrated telehealth delivery models that span chronic disease prevention, ongoing management, and acute care for chronic disease complications. The initiative seeks to demonstrate how digital health technologies can enhance care coordination and outcomes across the full patient journey—from prevention through acute exacerbation management. Funded centers will generate implementation science evidence on effective telehealth integration within chronic care models and disseminate findings through peer-reviewed publications and national demonstration activities. The research spans health services delivery, implementation science, and clinical informatics approaches to chronic disease care.
- Who can apply: Academic medical centers (institutional applicants)
- Funding & project length: Not stated
- Award mechanism: Centers of Excellence grants
- Key dates: Not stated
- Best fit for: Health services researchers, implementation scientists, and clinicians in academic settings designing telehealth-integrated chronic disease programs for prevention, management, and acute care integration
Insights (6)
Implementation science expertise critical for competitive positioning
This program explicitly requires integration of telehealth into existing chronic care models—a fundamentally implementation-focused challenge rather than technology development. Applicants with demonstrated track records in implementation science, care delivery redesign, or health services research will be substantially more competitive than those with primarily clinical or technical backgrounds. Preliminary data showing successful adoption barriers overcome, workflow integration, or provider/patient engagement strategies will strengthen applications.
Multi-disciplinary team composition essential for model credibility
The program's emphasis on serving as a 'national model' and disseminating findings suggests reviewers will expect teams spanning clinical expertise (chronic disease specialists), implementation/organizational change expertise, telehealth technology integration, and health services research. Academic medical centers with siloed departments may need to intentionally construct cross-functional teams; this is not a solo-PI opportunity.
Academic medical center requirement limits applicant pool significantly
The explicit restriction to 'academic medical centers' excludes community health centers, independent practices, and non-academic health systems—even those with strong chronic care programs. This effectively narrows competition but also means applicants must demonstrate institutional capacity for research dissemination, publication, and national model-building, not just clinical delivery.
Specificity of scope suggests moderate-to-high competition intensity
The program targets a well-defined niche (telehealth + chronic care + academic medical centers) with explicit dissemination and national model expectations. This specificity attracts focused competitors but also limits the total addressable pool. Without knowing the number of anticipated awards, assume moderate competition; applicants should differentiate on implementation rigor and existing chronic care infrastructure rather than telehealth novelty alone.
Acute-episode integration distinguishes this from prevention-only programs
The program's inclusion of 'acute episodes that result from long-term morbidity' signals interest in comprehensive chronic care models that prevent exacerbations and manage crises—not just steady-state disease management. Applicants with evidence of reducing ED visits, hospitalizations, or readmissions through integrated care will be more compelling than those focused narrowly on outpatient prevention.
Program structure favors established centers with existing infrastructure
This mechanism funds 'centers' rather than individual projects, implying institutional maturity and existing chronic care programs. Early-stage investigators or those at institutions without established telehealth or chronic care infrastructure may face barriers; the program is better suited for mid-to-senior researchers with institutional backing and preliminary data on chronic care delivery.
Key Facts
Deadline
—
Posted
Wed, December 17, 2025
Award Range
— – $3,800,000
Expected Awards
5
Keywords
Research Areas