The funds will focus on prevention and management of chronic diseases, as well as improving quality, affordability and access to care.

SCRA President and CEO Bill Kirkland said in the statement, “Over the past several years, we have witnessed remarkable innovation statewide, and we are confident this program will serve as a vital catalyst in advancing the latest solutions to reduce chronic disease and ease the significant burden it places on our state. The Tech Catalyst Fund will drive the development and deployment of medical innovations, bringing meaningful change to those who need it most.”

Adrianne Grimes, SCRA director of marketing and communications, said in an email, “It is our hope that any advances this program produces will help the Pee Dee region, as well as all rural areas.”

The Tech Catalyst Fund is part of South Carolina's Rural Health Transformation program. The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services had awarded the state $200 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding for fiscal year 2026, according to a December statement from the SC Department of Health and Human Services, which implements the state program.

SCRA’s Tech Catalyst Fund is one of five initiatives under the state program that aim to “increase access to quality healthcare services, particularly those that focus on improving chronic disease and maternal health outcomes across the state’s rural communities.”

Details on eligibility, as well as application requirements and deadlines can be found at scra.org/techcatalyst. Interested applicants may email [email protected].