Apply for Service Area Competition (SAC)

Jump to:

• Key funding details
• Who can apply
• How to apply
• When to apply
• Resources for your application
• Technical assistance
• Contact us

Get key funding details

We fund health centers to provide primary health care services to defined service areas.

We define a service area by a list of ZIP codes where you must provide services. Each service area has specific requirements for special populations and service types.

We announce service areas available for competition in the Service Area Announcement Table (SAAT). We update the SAAT when additional service areas become available.

A health center already serves each announced service area. When this health center's current award ends, new or existing health centers can apply for a SAC award to continue to provide the same services to the populations currently served in this service area.

We may announce additional service areas in a SAC-AA if an awarded health center cannot continue to provide services in their area.

Who can apply

You must:

• Be a public or non-profit private entity in the United States or its territories. Your group could be tribal, faith-based, or community-based.
• Serve an entire service area that we list in the SAAT. This ensures people in those areas continue to get primary health care.
• Meet all additional eligibility requirements outlined in the SAC Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

How to apply

Before you apply

You must register in SAM.gov and Grants.gov before you apply.

Your information must be the same in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and HRSA Electronic Handbooks (EHBs). Allow at least four weeks to register in case you run into a problem.

Apply in these two systems

1. Grants.gov: Apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on the date in the NOFO.
2. HRSA EHBs: Apply by 5 p.m. ET on the date in the NOFO.

When to apply

SAC NOFO releases and deadlines

Current Project Period End Date	NOFO Number	HRSA EHBs Application Open Date	Grants.gov Deadline (11:59 p.m. ET)	HRSA EHBs Deadline (5 p.m. ET)
February 28, 2026	HRSA-26-002	July 22, 2025	September 22, 2025	October 29, 2025
March 31, 2026	HRSA-26-004	July 30, 2025	September 29, 2025	October 29, 2025
April 30, 2026	HRSA-26-005	August 11, 2025	October 10, 2025	November 10, 2025
May 31, 2026	HRSA-26-006	September 10, 2025	November 10, 2025	December 10, 2025

Find resources for your application

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

• FY 2026 SAC/SAC-AA FAQ
• Patient Target FAQ

Application guides

• HRSA SF-424 Two-Tier Application Guide (PDF - 650 KB)
• FY 2026 SAC/SAC-AA Applicant EHBs User Guide (PDF - 5 MB)

Application aids

• Patient and Budget Calculator

Health Center Program compliance aids

• Attachment 13: Health Center Program Compliance Narrative Instructions
• Health Center Program Compliance Review Presentation (PDF - 527 KB)

Attachments and forms

• Attachment 12: Operational Plan Instructions and Sample

Attachment 1: service area map and table

• Health Center Program GeoCare Navigator
• Health Center Program GeoCare Navigator User Guide (PDF - 3 MB)
• Health Center Program GeoCare Navigator Introductory Video

Budget presentation

• SF-424A: Budget Information Form (PDF - 172 KB)
• Budget Narrative Sample

Program specific forms and instructions

• Form 1A: General Information Worksheet (PDF - 100 KB)
• Form 1C: Documents on File (PDF - 87 KB)
• Form 2: Staffing Profile (PDF - 95 KB)
• Form 3: Income Analysis (PDF - 119 KB)
• Form 5A: Services Provided (PDF - 62 KB)
• Form 5B: Service Sites (PDF - 81 KB)
• Form 5C: Other Activities/Locations (PDF - 60 KB)
• Form 6B: Request for Waiver of Board Member Requirements (PDF - 77 KB)
• Form 8: Health Center Agreements (PDF - 83 KB)
• Form 12: Organization Contacts (PDF - 66 KB)
• Summary Page (PDF - 91 KB)

Find technical assistance

• Compliance
• Uniform Data System (UDS) Training and Technical Assistance
• Sign up to receive the Primary Health Care Digest
• HRSA Scoring Rubric
• Policies, Regulations, and Guidance 

Contact us

If you have a question about:	You can reach us at:
Your application	BPHC Contact Form  Under Funding, select Applications for Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) Select Service Area Competition (SAC)
Budget	Email Joi Grymes Call 301-443-2632
Grants.gov	Call 800-518-4726 (international callers, call 606-545-5035) Email Grants.gov. Self-Service Knowledge Base
EHBs	BPHC Contact Form  Under Technical Support, select EHBs Tasks/EHBs Technical Issues  Call 877-464-4772 (select option 1) 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET, Monday – Friday (except federal holidays) EHBs: Updating Your Role in Your Health Center (PDF - 301 KB)