PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:
To improve the distribution, supply, and quality of health personnel in the health services delivery system by encouraging the regionalization of health professions schools. Emphasis is placed on community-based training of primary care oriented students, residents, and providers. The Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program assists schools in the development and operation of AHECs to implement educational system incentives to attract and retain health care personnel in scarcity areas. By linking the academic resources of the university health science center with local planning, educational and clinical resources, the AHEC program establishes a network of health-related institutions to provide educational services to students, faculty and practitioners and ultimately to improve the delivery of health care in the service areas. These programs are collaborative partnerships which address current health workforce needs within a region of a State or in an entire State.

 ELIGIBLE FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES:
1. HEALTH;
- General Health and Medical;
- Health Services Planning and Technical Assistance;
- Program Development;

 WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS PROGRAM:
- State;
- Public nonprofit institution/organization;
- U.S. Territories;
- Private non-profit institution/organization;
- Quasi-public non-profit organization;

 WHO CAN APPLY:
- State (includes District of Columbia, public institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Public non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- U.S. Territories and possessions (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Private non-profit institution/organization (includes institutions of higher education and hospitals);
- Quasi-public non-profit institution/organization;