The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE), through the Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund (HWIF), is now accepting partnership proposals for healthcare training scholarships.
Deadline: October 28, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. EST
Background
Created in the 2023 Regular Session of the Kentucky General Assembly through HB 200, HWIF is a public/private partnership framework designed to strengthen Kentucky’s healthcare workforce. The legislation shares responsibility between industry and government to carry out a dedicated mission: cultivate a robust healthcare workforce in Kentucky.
The fund’s core objectives are:
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At least 65% of funds will provide educational scholarships to students pursuing programs targeting critical workforce needs in healthcare professions.
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Up to 35% of funds will recognize and reward excellence among Kentucky healthcare professional education and training programs.
The Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund website includes links to the guiding legislation and implementation plan, identifies the HWIF Steering Committee, and includes a frequently asked questions section.
HWIF website: https://cpe.ky.gov/ourwork/kyhwif.html
Funding Opportunity
In this second year of the HWIF appropriation, CPE will award $718,795 in matchable funds to eligible healthcare programs to be used for student scholarships.
In this model, healthcare partners and healthcare programs share responsibility:
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The healthcare partner deposits their pledged amount.
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CPE matches those funds dollar-for-dollar through the state appropriation.
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The healthcare program administers the scholarships, recruits students, manages compliance, and reports back to CPE.
This collaboration builds a sustainable pipeline of trained professionals who transition into Kentucky’s healthcare workforce.
Eligible Credentials
Credentials eligible under HWIF include (partial list):
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Any Emergency Medical Services license or certificate
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Any Nursing license or certificate
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State-Registered Nursing Aide (Kentucky Board of Nursing)
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Dental Hygienist and Dental Assistant licenses
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Medical Imaging, Radiation, and related licenses
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Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
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Respiratory Care Practitioner Certificate
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Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Behavior Analyst licenses
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Social Worker, Professional Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist licenses
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Physician Assistant, Dietitian, or Nutritionist credentials
A complete list is included in the HWIF application.
Priorities
By statute, priority will be given to proposals that:
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Address workforce needs in historically underserved counties.
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Reduce demand for high-need healthcare credentials in Kentucky.
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Come from healthcare partners with 50 or fewer employees.
Proposal Submission
The proposal period closes October 28, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. EST. Proposals must be submitted through the official HWIF submission form.
Submission Form: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=TX9812fXH0a2JQYoeS6eKmy3gaZqIT5Kj5vBrYTHhtVUOE0yTENLWFdFWVlQRE0yNjJGM0w1M1pBNy4u&route=shorturl
Redacted Example Proposal: https://cpe.ky.gov/news/rfp_documents/example-hwif-proposal.pdf
FAQ: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:2b0ca62d-a42a-4eb8-9f17-b1fceb675715
Evaluation and Award Notification
The HWIF Steering Committee and CPE will use an evaluation form to guide the decision-making process.
Evaluation Form: https://cpe.ky.gov/ourwork/documents/hwif-evaluation-form.pdf
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Proposals will be reviewed by the HWIF Steering Committee and CPE.
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Notifications will be sent by November 14, 2025.
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Selected awardees must attend a virtual HWIF Awardee Meeting on November 21, 2025, from 11–11:30 a.m. EST.
Contact
For questions about HWIF, contact:
Michaela M. Steverson
Program Manager – Healthcare Workforce Initiatives
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
100 Airport Road, Frankfort, KY 40601
502-892-3040 | michaela.steverson@ky.gov
Need help drafting your proposal? Reach out to our Workforce Committee for guidance:
Phillip J. Ferguson
EMS Deputy Chief & Workforce Committee Chair
112 Phillip Meacham Way
Hopkinsville, KY 42240
270-890-1408 | Mobile: 270-498-4578
pferguson@h-ky.us
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