State opens third round of H.E.R.O. Fund grants for health care training; applications due Nov. 19

BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Health is accepting applications for a third round of Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund matching grants, according to a department news release dated Oct. 20. Applications are due by 5 p.m. CT on Nov. 19 through the fund's online grant portal.

The grants back partnerships between health care education or training programs and industry partners, such as providers or facilities operating in Louisiana, to grow the workforce in nursing, allied health and other high-demand jobs. Each application must include at least one of each, and industry partners must match the grant dollar for dollar in cash or in-kind contributions, the release says.

Money may go toward expanding enrollment, raising completion and licensing-exam pass rates, stipends or tuition forgiveness, internships and apprenticeships, and drawing health care workers to underserved areas.

“Building a stronger health care workforce is essential to improving access to care across Louisiana,” said LDH Undersecretary Albert Siemien Jr.

Questions go to HERO@la.gov by Nov. 11. The grant period runs July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2029, with awards expected in spring 2027.

Source: Louisiana Department of Health news release, “LDH opens third round of H.E.R.O. Fund applications,” Oct. 20, 2026 (https://ldh.la.gov/news/herofund-applications-round3).