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Health Careers Opportunity Program: Process for Awarding Competitive Grants Included Independent Review

GAO-07-137 Published: Feb 02, 2007. Publicly Released: Feb 02, 2007.
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Highlights

To support the education and training of health professionals, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), administers health professions education programs authorized under title VII of the Public Health Service Act. One of these programs, the Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP), provides grants to health professions schools and other entities to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds prepare for health professions education and training. Funding preference is given to grant applications that demonstrate a comprehensive approach involving other educational or health-related partners. Congressional committees have encouraged HRSA to give priority to applications from schools with a historic mission of educating minority students for health professions. In 2004, the appropriations conference committee asked GAO to review HRSA's process for awarding grants. This report addresses, for fiscal years 2002 through 2005, (1) HRSA's process for awarding HCOP grants and (2) the number and characteristics of HCOP applicants and grantees. GAO reviewed data from HRSA, interviewed HRSA officials, and reviewed relevant federal laws and agency documents from HHS and the Department of Education.

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Topics

Disadvantaged personsEducation program evaluationEducational grantsEligibility determinationsEmployment assistance programsEmployment opportunitiesGrant administrationHealth care personnelHigher educationMinoritiesMedical education