Health Professions Programs

Funding Opportunity

BACKGROUND

Idaho has a healthcare workforce shortage. In an effort to address the state’s shortage of qualified healthcare workers, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health is offering grants to help secondary schools across the state start or expand Career Technical Education (CTE) health professions programs.

The Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health understands the importance of the healthcare workforce and how it impacts the health and vitality of our state. BCIFH is offering grants that will help secondary schools across Idaho start or expand health professions programs. These programs will help train students who eventually will bolster our state’s healthcare workforce.

APPLICABLE USE OF FUNDS

School districts and/or high schools can receive funding up to $50,000 to help start or expand health professions programming. These one-time funds can be used to cover start-up or expansion costs related to the program. Funds can be used for items such as equipment, supplies, and/or staffing. Health Professions pathways include:

Dental Assisting
Emergency Medical Technician
Medical Assisting
Nursing Assistant
Pharmacy Technician
Rehabilitation Services

WHO CAN APPLY

All Idaho public schools and charters are encouraged to apply. Starting programs will offer schools and districts eligibility to apply for CTE funding through the state, ensuring the sustainability of the program.

School districts and/or high schools that have received a Health Professions grant award from the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health in the past are not eligible to receive another award for the same health professions pathway. Previous recipients may apply for funding to support the start or expansion of a different health professions pathway.

Important Details

Timeline

Deadlines and key dates

Applications open January 20, 2026
Application deadline is 10 a.m. MST, March 2, 2026
Applications reviewed March 3-31
Contracts and grants awarded April 2026

Eligibility

Who can/should apply

Idaho public secondary schools/districts and public accredited charter schools.
Schools/districts looking to start or expand health professions programs.
Schools/districts willing to apply for CTE funding from State of Idaho for sustainability.
Previous grantees are not eligible for a grant for the same pathway. They are eligible to apply to add an additional pathway.

Instructions

Download this budget template and complete
Fill out the form below
Upload the completed budget template and the school district’s W-9 form
Submit

"*" indicates required fields

School/District Name*

Address*

Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code

Name of the person filling out the form*

First Last

Email*

Phone*

Name of the person who would sign the contract*

First Last

Email

Phone

School Overview: Please provide information about your school/district, including location and student population demographics (number of students, % free and reduced lunch and breakfast)*

Current CTE Overview: Provide background on your school/district's current CTE programming*

Need and Interest: Describe the health professions program the school wants to start or expand and why. Include the healthcare industry need for this program (i.e., shortage of certified nursing assistants)*

Approval: Is this new or expanded program an approved CTE program or in the process of becoming an approved program through Idaho Division of Career Technical Education? Please detail as needed*

Program Reach: Approximately how many students will the new or expanded program reach?*

Partnerships: Describe any partnerships with healthcare employers or higher education institutions. How will these partnership[s support the new or expanded program?*

Funding Use: Detail how grant funding would be used*

Sustainability: This grant provides one-time startup or expansion funds. What is the plan to sustain the program? Please detail additional CTE funding that the school/district will apply for in the future.*

Please upload a copy of your school's W-9 form*

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Upload completed budget file*

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Building Idaho's Future Healthcare Workforce

We provided grant funding to 27 Idaho schools and school districts over the past two years to help them launch or expand health professions CTE programs.

Read about Butte County's CTE Program

Focus Areas

Grants & Initiatives