Virginia is making nearly $10 million available to develop healthcare technologies for rural communities, creating a funding opportunity for Hampton Roads companies working to improve how patients receive care.

The Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC) is accepting applications for its new Tech Innovation Fund, offering grants ranging from $250,000 to $999,999. Applications close October 29.

The funding is non-dilutive, meaning recipients do not have to give up company ownership or repay the money.

The initiative is part of Virginia’s Rural Health Transformation Program, supported by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. It focuses on technologies that help prevent and manage chronic diseases in communities where access to healthcare can be limited.

Eligible technologies include digital health platforms, medication management systems, digital therapeutics and robotics that improve medication delivery.

VIPC is targeting technologies that have demonstrated feasibility but have not yet reached full commercialization.

Why Hampton Roads Has an Opportunity

Although the funding targets rural healthcare, companies developing the technology do not necessarily need to be located in rural communities.

That could open opportunities for innovators throughout Hampton Roads to serve patients in nearby Accomack, Northampton, Southampton, Surry, Sussex and Mathews counties, along with the city of Franklin.

The region has already demonstrated how technology can address rural healthcare challenges.

In 2023, VIPC helped fund a partnership involving Riverside Health, DroneUp, Old Dominion University and other organizations to explore delivering prescription medications by drone to Virginia’s Eastern Shore and Tangier Island.

The initiative showed how regional technology and healthcare organizations could collaborate to overcome geographic barriers to medical care.

The new fund could support similar innovations, particularly technologies that help patients manage chronic conditions without requiring frequent trips to distant healthcare facilities.

Who Qualifies?

Eligible applicants include companies, universities, nonprofits, government organizations and Tribal entities.

Program requirements include restrictions related to organizational age and previous funding, with preference given to Virginia-based applicants. Applicants should review the full eligibility criteria before applying.

Projects must serve designated rural Virginia communities, with funding distributed as recipients complete agreed-upon milestones.

VIPC expects to make between 10 and 25 awards. Selected projects must begin deployment within 90 days of signing and complete their milestones by August 31, 2027.

Applications Close October 29

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. on October 29, with award announcements anticipated December 21.

Applicants can review requirements, eligibility guidelines and application materials through VIPC’s Rural Health Transformation Program.

For Hampton Roads companies developing healthcare technology, the opportunity represents a potential source of substantial funding while helping address healthcare challenges in communities throughout eastern Virginia.