GREAT Health Rural Simulation Mannequin Grant Program

GREAT Health Funding Opportunity Announcement

Georgia Rural Health

GREAT Health Rural Simulation Mannequin Grant Program


The information provided below is intended to assist eligible applicants with developing and submitting applications within the GREAT Health Application Portal. This funding opportunity is for Year 1 of the GREAT Health Program, Federal Fiscal Year 2026. All funds awarded from this announcement must be spent by September 1st, 2027.


For questions, please contact [email protected]. Please allow 5 business days for a response. All questions must be submitted by close of business November 9th, 2026 to receive a response before the application deadline.

Click the following link to apply to the GREAT Health Rural Simulation Mannequin Grant Application.

Funding Opportunity:

Title: GREAT Health Rural Simulation Mannequin Grant Program (Click here to download as PDF)  (PDF, 195.21 KB)
Initiative 4: Growing a Highly Skilled Healthcare Workforce in Rural Georgia
Strategy: Nurse Simulation Training Expansion

Application Timelines Information:

  • Opening: October 9th, 2026
  • Closing: November 13th, 2026

Funding Amount and Number of Awards:

  • $90,000 per award
  • Approximately five (5) awards available

Funding Eligibility:

This funding opportunity is available to nurse training programs in Georgia located in one of the 126 HRSA-designated rural/partial rural counties defined as the eligible rural area under the GREAT Health Program.


All programs must be Georgia Board of Nursing approved with current enrollment. Programs with Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)/Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accreditation will be given priority.

 Applicants must offer at least one of the following degrees and certifications:
• Practical Nursing Diploma/Certificate
• Associate Degree in Nursing
• Associate of Science in Nursing
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing
• Registered Nurse Diploma
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse

Nurse training programs that do not have an existing simulation program but have currently enrolled students will receive priority in the application process. Programs with a suitable space for simulation (such as an updated simulation lab) or who already have an existing simulation program will also receive priority.


We will prioritize one award per applicant (defined as one training location; multiple locations under the same parent program should apply separately and will be treated as individual applicants). Applicants may request more than one grant in the budget section which may be granted according to need and availability.

Description and Purpose of Funding:

The Simulation Mannequin Grant is designed to strengthen nurse training programs across rural Georgia with a grant to support development and implementation of simulation programs. This technology will expand future access to care and reduce travel barriers for patients in rural communities.


This grant will award $90,000 for each recipient to invest in and implement simulation technology into their nurse training programs to prepare future healthcare workers for a rural setting.


All funds must be fully expended by September 1, 2027.

Additional Information and Guidance for Application Development:

Funding is approved for Year 1 GREAT Health funding. Applicants are required to follow application instructions outlined in the application.


Applicants are expected to identify a proposed vendor prior to the budget approval for the disbursement of funds. A quote from the vendor including all relevant costs should be attached to the application.

Applicants may identify more than one simulation mannequin if the budget aligns with the available funds. Primary mannequins, the mannequin that costs the most, must meet the following specifications:
1. Under the maximum budget allowable for mannequins of $70,000, with all other expenses related to the mannequin(s) (for example, consumable supplies, training, scenario software, etc.) not to exceed maximum award amount per grant award of $90,000


2. More than $70,000 can be approved for mannequins if an applicant can demonstrate that other necessary costs associated with a simulation program (i.e. service contracts, faculty/staff training, disposables and consumables, scenario development and software, administration, etc.) have already been accounted for.


3. Clinical fidelity

  • General Technical Specifications: All proposed mannequins must meet the following baseline requirements, scaled to the appropriate anatomical and physiological age of the patient model requested (Adult, Geriatric, Pediatric, or Neonatal/Infant):
          
  1.  Airway Anatomy: Realistic airway allowing oral/nasal intubation (Note: Surgical cricothyrotomy access is required only for Adult, Geriatric, and EMS/Trauma configurations
  2.  Palpable Pulses: Multi-site configuration appropriate to age (e.g., brachial/umbilical for neonates; radial/carotid for adults)
  3. Auscultation: Instructor-controlled variations for heart, lung, and bowel sounds
  4. Injections/Access: Self-sealing skin zones for IV (intravenous) /IM (intramuscular) practice, or age-appropriate equivalents (such as IO (intraosseous) or Umbilical lines for neonatal models))
  5. Physiologic Engine: Automated responses for blood pressure shifts, pupil reactions, and age-scaled seizure simulation
  6. Mannequin(s) are medium- or high-fidelity, may be used for repeated scenarios
  7. Mannequin(s) compatible with debriefing and AV capture systems; usable with low bandwidth or no connectivity
  8. Whether training programs themselves own the mannequin(s) and/or simulation lab (or the space intended for the lab)
  • Specialty Mannequin Preference:
  1. Preference will be given to applications addressing localized rural training needs using specialty mannequin configurations, including Obstetric/Maternal-Fetal (OB/GYN), Neonatal/Infant, Pediatric, Geriatric, Bariatric/Metabolic Adjustments, and EMS/Trauma Simulators

Vendors should provide the following information about their included services in providing mannequins and supporting a simulation program:

  1. Service contract costs, terms, and response time
  2. Consumable costs (skin replacement, battery packs, etc.)
  3. Software licensing/subscription costs, including availability or tailoring to rural training scenarios
  4. Training/onboarding cost and support for faculty for operational efficiency
  5. Ability to build, ship and install the simulation mannequin equipment to the appropriate pre-approved site identified by the applicant and ensure full operability
  6. Availability of standard and preventive maintenance for equipment and cleaning products
  7. Other necessary technical support

Applicants must provide details of a Simulation Program Plan covering the following:

  • Faculty training
  • Faculty turnover and onboarding planning
  • Simulation lab or physical space that will be used for simulation instruction and mannequin and equipment storage when not in use
  • Financial support for ongoing simulation program costs (service contracts, scenario development and libraries, disposable or consumable items, etc.)
  • Integration of simulation into existing curricula
  • Monitoring and Evaluation of simulation program for quality improvement
  • Sustainability considerations
  • Program Readiness (identify lead faculty and experience, identify plan to support development of scenarios and relevant didactic material)

  • Plan identifies potential risks and provides mitigation plans

    Applicants must demonstrate a commitment from training program leadership. As part of the application process,applicants will be asked to submit a statement of institutional commitment signed by the Dean or VP of the nursing program, Program Director, and/or lead faculty in charge of simulation.


    Applicants are expected to sustain the simulation mannequin equipment beyond the grant funding period. A description of the sustainability plan covering personnel, financial, logistical, and technical support is a required component of the application.

    Notification of awards will be provided once applications have been reviewed, scored, and approved.


    Pre-award costs associated with applicant projects, including costs incurred to apply for grant funds, are not considered an allowable cost under the GREAT Health program. Pre-award costs are those incurred before the project start date or execution of grant agreement.

Eligible Expenses

Funds can be used for these five categories:

1. Simulation Equipment: Applicants must identify the vendor and mannequin(s), as well as any modifications they wish to add on. Maximum amount of the grant that can be used for mannequins is $70,000.*
2.Consumable Supplies, including but not limited to the following, directly related to simulation training:
  - Wound and skin related supplies
  - IV and vascular supplies
  - Airway management supplies
  - General clinical supplies, such as gauze, gloves, syringes, dressings, PPE
  - Linen and bedding supplies
3. Faculty Simulation Training: Vendors must provide, at a minimum, product operation training. Additional training may support faculty in designing, running, and debriefing simulations. These can include skills training and training programs such as Healthcare Simulation Educator Certification, Healthcare Simulation Operations Specialist Certification, or other resources related to faculty support.

4. Scenario Development & Software: Vendors may provide software or scenario libraries that faculty can reference to create training curricula. Funds may also be used to develop or tailor scenarios for rural settings.

5. Service Contracts & Technical Assistance: Vendors must provide technical assistance plans, such as service contracts that cover preventive maintenance, technical support, and varying repairs.


Virtual Reality (VR) simulation hardware and software are only eligible for funding when coupled with the purchase of a physical mannequin under this grant. Total requested VR expenditures are subject to case-by-case approval and shall not exceed 15% of the total budget request.

Funding Restrictions
Grant money cannot be used for:
1. Operational expenses for non-simulation nurse training;
2. Expenses incurred outside the period of funding;
3. New construction, including buying land, buildings, or businesses;
4. Facility upgrades and renovations;
5. Staff salaries;
6. Costs not associated with simulation mannequin implementation;
7. Clinical services that could be paid for by insurance;
8. Food/meals; or
9. Projects with current or planned fund sources

Evaluation Process

Applications will be evaluated based on eligibility and completeness. Applications that meet all minimum requirements will be assessed based upon community need, hospital readiness, and quality of application.

All questions on the application process, requirements, and technical assistance should be directed to [email protected].


The GREAT Health Program is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $218,862,169.63 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement solicits applications for a Grant award pursuant to the GREAT
Health Program and Notice of Award for such program issued to DCH by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Grantee shall comply with all applicable
federal law, regulations and policies pertaining to the Grant award. Additionally, Grantees will be required to
execute the GREAT Health Grant Award Terms and Conditions and abide by the provisions of the GREAT
Health Program’s Policies and Procedures Manual. This funding opportunity is intended to guide prospective
applicants seeking funding through GREAT Health. This document is not exhaustive, binding, or final. The
requirements set forth herein override all other guidance documents specifically related to this program.
DCH reserves the right to fund all, part, or none of the submitted applications.