HCAI opens Song‑Brown 2026 application cycle with $31 million available for primary care residency programs

The Department of Health Care Access and Information opened the Song‑Brown Primary Care Residency 2026 application cycle and invited program directors and applicants to apply, emphasizing deadlines and documentation requirements.

"Our vision is a healthier California where all receive equitable, affordable, and quality health care," said Chris Rowena, communications team supervisor in Health Workforce Development at HCAI, as she introduced the webinar and the application process. Program officer Brianna Romo said the Song‑Brown program provides funding to education programs "which include primary care, family nurse practitioners, physician assistants, registered nurses, and midwifery programs" and incentivizes graduates to practice in medically underserved areas and serve primarily Medi‑Cal patients.

HCAI laid out three primary funding categories for 2026: existing slots, teaching health centers (THC), expansion and new programs (including a "new with match" option). Romo said available funding includes $18.6 million for existing slots, $5.6 million for THCs and $3.3 million each for expansion and new programs, totaling roughly $31 million for the cycle. She also spelled out per‑program slot caps: up to five slots for existing programs, up to six for THCs and up to three for expansion awards.

Applicants must accept the grant agreement terms without change and may not use Song‑Brown funds to supplant existing federal, state or local funding. A new application requirement for 2026 requires an "additional signatory" with institutional authority to enter a grant agreement on behalf of the sponsoring organization; examples cited included a designated institutional officer, department chair or chief medical officer. Romo said applicants also must collect and upload program and resident information (facility types, payer mix for the last 12 months reported in whole numbers, resident race/ethnicity data, NPI numbers and applicable accreditation letters).

For new programs that include a match, applicants must be willing to provide 25% of the total award from organizational funds. Romo gave an example: a $2 million award would require a $500,000 match for a $2.5 million total budget. She noted that applicants completing ACGME phases A–D may be eligible for particular funding tiers and that phase documentation must be uploaded where indicated.

The application portal uses a two‑step authentication process. Romo reiterated role rules for accounts: registrants are initially assigned a grant preparer role; only program directors can submit applications. She also noted the portal no longer supports an in‑platform "signing others" feature and that adding some user roles must be coordinated by emailing the Song‑Brown team.

Applicants were directed to the Song‑Brown PCR webpage and resources icon for the grant guide, technical assistance guide and allowable cost guide. Romo said the early‑submission review date is July 20 at 3:00 p.m., the application closes Aug. 3 at 3:00 p.m., and award notices should be issued around December 2026. The presenters said the webinar recording and slides will be posted on the Song‑Brown website after accessibility processing.

Next steps: applicants should gather required signatory and organizational information, confirm facility types and payer mixes, and prepare required attachments (including ACGME accreditation documents where relevant) before submitting. The team provided songbrown@hki.ca.gov and a phone number (916‑326‑3700) for follow‑up assistance.