(a) As used in this subchapter, a “planning grant” is a grant awarded by the Graduate Medical Education Residency Expansion Board to eligible entities and individuals under this subchapter.
(b) The board shall:
(1) Allocate funds appropriated for purposes of this subchapter;
(2) Award a one-time planning grant under this section to an entity in this state that:
(A) Has never had a graduate medical education program; and
(B) Is eligible for Medicare funding of graduate medical education;
(3) Award planning grants on a competitive basis according to the criteria adopted by the board under its rules; and
(4) Determine the number of planning grants awarded and the amount of each planning grant.
(c)
(1) An application for a planning grant under this section shall be submitted by an entity to the board no later than July 15 of the year preceding the year for which the planning grant will be used.
(2) The board shall award a planning grant to an eligible entity under this section no later than August 15 of the year in which the eligible entity's application was submitted.
(d) An entity that is awarded a planning grant under this section and establishes additional first-year residency positions after the receipt of a planning grant is eligible for additional funds for each position established.