The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) is accepting applications for the third round of the Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund, which provides matching grants to help expand Louisiana's health care workforce. Applications are due by 5 p.m. CT on November 19, 2026.
The H.E.R.O. Fund supports partnerships between healthcare training and education programs and industry partners to address workforce needs in nursing, allied health, and other high-demand healthcare occupations. Grants are designed to expand training opportunities, increase enrollment and program completion, and help more Louisianians enter and remain in healthcare careers.
“Building a stronger health care workforce is essential to improving access to care across Louisiana,” said LDH Undersecretary Albert Siemien Jr. “The H.E.R.O. Fund brings educators and health care providers together to create more opportunities for Louisianans to train for high-demand careers. By investing in these partnerships, we're helping meet the needs of our healthcare facilities while creating pathways to good jobs and keeping talent here in Louisiana.”
Eligible applicants must include at least one health care education or training program and one healthcare industry partner, such as a provider, facility, or healthcare-related organization operating in Louisiana.
Funding may support initiatives that:
-Expand training capacity and enrollment in high-demand healthcare programs.
-Improve program completion and certification or licensing exam pass rates.
-Provide financial incentives, including stipends or tuition forgiveness, to support students entering Louisiana's healthcare workforce.
-Encourage healthcare professionals to practice in Louisiana, particularly in medically underserved areas.
-Expand dual enrollment, career pathways, internships, and apprenticeship opportunities.
-Reduce financial and other barriers to pursuing healthcare careers.
The H.E.R.O. Fund requires a dollar-for-dollar match from healthcare industry partners, which may be provided through cash or in-kind contributions. Multiple partners may contribute toward the required match. Grants will be awarded through a competitive application process, with funding based on the proposed project's impact on high-demand healthcare occupations.
The grant period will run from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2029, with awards expected to be announced in spring 2027.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted electronically through the H.E.R.O. Fund grant portal by 5 p.m. CT on Nov. 19, 2026.
Questions about the application process may be submitted to HERO@la.gov with “HERO Round 3 Questions” in the subject line by Nov. 11, 2026. An updated question-and-answer log will be posted weekly on the grant portal during the application period.
For additional information about the program and application requirements, visit ldh.la.gov/HERO.