The HITECH Act seeks to improve patient care and make it patient-centric through the creation of a secure, interoperable nationwide health information network. A key premise is that information should follow the patient, and artificial obstacles -- technical, bureaucratic, or business related -- should not be a barrier to the seamless exchange of information. Therefore, secure information exchange needs to occur across institutional and business boundaries so that the appropriate information is available to improve coordination, efficiency, and quality of care.  HITECH grant programs are designed to support these goals through diverse activities.

To help potential applicants and other interested parties better understand the federal grants process, The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has prepared a getting started Grants Primer. This document highlights the key steps needed to find and apply for grants.

The following additional links lead to government-wide Web sites related to federal grants and other federal funding opportunities.

This program provides grants for the establishment of Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers that will offer technical assistance, guidance and information on best practices to support and accelerate health care providers’ efforts to become meaningful users of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The consistent, nationwide adoption and use of secure EHRs will ultimately enhance the quality and value of health care.

Learn more about the Health Information Technology Extension Program

These grant programs will support states and/or State Designated Entities (SDEs) in establishing health information exchange (HIE) capacity among health care providers and hospitals in their jurisdictions. Such efforts at the state level will establish and implement appropriate governance, policies, and network services within the broader national framework to rapidly build capacity for connectivity between and among health care providers. State programs to promote HIE will help to realize the full potential of EHRs to improve the coordination, efficiency and, quality of care.

Learn more about the State Health Information Exchange Cooperative Agreement Program