Official Louisiana State Websites use .la.gov 
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 
Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.)
Established in 2021and updated in 2024 by HB 329 (Act 607), the Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) Fund invites applications from healthcare training and education programs and healthcare industry partners to address workforce needs in nursing, allied health, and other high-demand healthcare occupations.
Complete proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. (CT) on January 16, 2026, and must be submitted via email to HERO@la.gov with the subject line “HERO Proposal – [Your Organization’s Name].”
- Meet local, regional, or state workforce demands for high-demand healthcare professions
- Increase capacity and student enrollment in identified health care credentials
- Increase program completion and/or exam/certification pass rates
- Provide incentives that financially support students (i.e. stipends or tuition forgiveness) upon employment in LA health care facilities or training programs
- Provide incentives for high-demand health care professionals to practice in LA with an emphasis on medically underserved areas
- Support dual enrollment and pathway programs between high school career and technical programs and other healthcare programs
- Support strategies for healthcare organizations to increase career pathways, internships and apprenticeship programs
- Raise awareness of and interest in a broad variety of healthcare occupations and reduce the barriers to access to the healthcare programs necessary to pursue these occupations, including financial barriers
Eligible grant recipients include a lead application entity and at least one partner. Proposals must include a “healthcare program” which includes education institutions and training programs and a “healthcare partner” which includes health care providers, facilities, or healthcare-related organizations licensed or operating in Louisiana. Regional non-profit organizations may also be considered for either lead or partner entity. Training must benefit students and health care organizations within the state of Louisiana.
Currently available funding for the H.E.R.O. program is approximately $6 million in funds to eligible healthcare programs or partners. A funding match (monies or in-kind contributions) by a healthcare industry partner equal to the grant award is required.
The grant term for this request cannot exceed 24 months beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2028. While there is no award ceiling for this opportunity, grant awards will be based on impact on high-demand healthcare occupations and the purposes outlined above.
The funding opportunity is limited and offered on a competitive basis; therefore it is possible not all applicants will receive funding. We reserve the right to award less than the amount requested. Funding cannot be spent on the construction, maintenance, repair, or improvement of structures. Once funds are granted, payment terms will be cost reimbursement. Grantees will submit invoices, with activity or expenditure reports and appropriate supporting documentation for reimbursement.
Organizations should not combine multiple healthcare credentials in a single proposal. Separate proposals should be submitted for each program funding a specific credential. If a program for a specific credential is expanding to additional geographic sites but the program remains the same, a single proposal can be submitted.
Proposals will be reviewed and evaluated by an impartial committee based on proposal quality and the purposes identified above. Data provided by the Board of Regents and Workforce Commission will also be taken into consideration in the evaluation process.
The following schedule for submission, assessment, and approval of funding will apply for FY 2026-2027:
| November 3, 2025 | Request for Applications Issued |
| December 17, 2025 | Deadline to Submit Questions |
| January 16, 2026 | Application Submission Deadline |
| January to February 2026 | Application Evaluation Period |
| Spring 2026 | Award Announcements |
Completed grant proposals can be submitted via email to HERO@la.gov with the subject line “HERO Proposal – [Your Organization’s Name]”
Application Documents
The email must include the following attachments in the specified format:
- HERO Cover Sheet
- HERO Proposal Narrative
- HERO Budget Worksheet
- HERO Budget Narrative
- HERO Signature Page
Please submit questions via email to HERO@la.gov with subject line “HERO Questions."