The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) announced the application period for the second round of the H.E.R.O. Fund. Approximately $6 million will be distributed among recipients.
The H.E.R.O. Fund, which provides matching two-year grants to healthcare training and education programs, helps grow the healthcare workforce pipeline in Louisiana.
The application period will close on Jan. 16, 2026.
Earlier this year, the Department awarded funds to 21 programs across the state. Collectively, the winning programs are expected to result in the addition of 885 high-demand healthcare professionals to Louisiana’s workforce. According to data from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, these positions will contribute an annual workforce impact of nearly $33 million to the state.
The focus of the H.E.R.O. program is to increase capacity and student enrollment in identified healthcare credentials, provide incentives that financially support students upon employment in Louisiana healthcare facilities or training programs, support dual enrollment, and reduce barriers to healthcare programs that create pipelines into high-demand health careers, including internships and apprenticeship programs.
LDH also announced that it is requesting additional funding to support opportunities for partnerships between healthcare training and education programs and rural facilities in Louisiana’s Rural Health Transformation Program grant. This will allow LDH to expand on this established program with a focus on rural health.
For more information about the H.E.R.O. Fund, email HERO@la.gov with “HERO Questions” in the subject line. To learn more about the fund and the application process, visit ldh.la.gov/HERO.