The NCPA Foundation’s Rural Pharmacy Ownership Accelerator is a comprehensive, free, 12-month virtual program designed to equip aspiring pharmacy owners with the knowledge, resources, and connections needed to successfully open and operate a pharmacy in a rural community within the next 3-5 years.
Who Should Apply
This program is ideal for individuals who:
- Have identified a specific rural community or region where they want to open a pharmacy
- Plan to open their pharmacy within the next 3-5 years
- Are inheriting or taking over an existing rural pharmacy
- Are exploring partnership opportunities with pharmacy groups
- Are committed to serving underserved rural populations
Eligibility Requirements:
- Timeline for rural pharmacy opening preferably within 1-3 or 3-5 years
- Identified target rural community or region
- If pharmacy student, must be a current P3 or P4 pharmacy student
- Commitment to completing at least 75% of the 12-month program
Application Components: Applicants will be asked to describe their ownership vision, target community, preliminary timeline, and demonstrate their commitment to rural pharmacy practice.
Selection Criteria: Priority given to applicants with the most clearly defined ownership plans, strong commitment to rural service, and readiness to actively engage in the program.
Program Capacity: A maximum of 15 participants will be asked to join the inaugural cohort. Priority will be given to applicants with clear ownership plans. Future cohorts will expand as funding allows.
Interested? Apply Today!
Applications close on November 30, 2025 for the 2026 cohort.
Participants will be notified by December 15, 2025.
The program will begin in January 2026.
What Makes This Program Unique
- Expert-Led Monthly Sessions Each month features a 1.5-hour session with industry experts covering essential topics from site selection and business planning to regulatory compliance and innovative service delivery models.
- Mentorship from Rural Pharmacy Owners Monthly 1-hour mentor sessions connect you with experienced rural pharmacy owners who share real-world insights, challenges, and proven strategies for success.
- Business Plan Development & Review Throughout the program, you’ll build a comprehensive business plan on your own if you don’t have one already; tailored to rural pharmacy ownership. We can connect you with industry experts who can review your plan before you submit it to financial institutions, giving you confidence and a competitive edge.
- Private Community Access Gain exclusive access to a private Substack community where you can network with fellow participants, access recorded sessions, engage in discussions about current rural pharmacy topics, and stay connected long after the program ends.
- Year-Long, Self-Directed Learning Between sessions, you’ll complete practical activities that move your ownership goals forward. Because the program is a year-long, you will have time to take in new concepts, identify more questions to ask, and build out a thoughtful pharmacy business.
Program Goals
- Increase Rural Pharmacy Access Our mission is to increase the number of pharmacies opening in rural America, ensuring more communities have access to essential pharmacy services.
- Reduce Barriers to Ownership We break down the barriers to obtaining the knowledge, skills, and networking experiences necessary for successful pharmacy ownership.
- Enable Strategic Partnerships Through our community platform, we facilitate matchmaking for potential partnership opportunities, whether you’re looking for co-owners, joining a pharmacy group, or finding succession opportunities.
- Build a Supportive Community We cultivate a collaborative network where ideas are shared freely, challenges are tackled together, and rural pharmacy owners support one another’s success.
What You’ll Learn
- Months 1-3: Foundation & Planning Understand the rural healthcare landscape, select your location strategically, and begin building your business plan with a focus on market analysis and competitive advantages.
- Months 4-6: Financial Strategy & Operations Master pharmacy economics, explore financing options including rural-specific grants and loans, and develop your operations and marketing strategy.
- Months 7-9: Compliance & Service Expansion Navigate regulatory requirements, prepare for your role as potentially the only healthcare professional in town, and discover creative ways to expand your reach without opening additional locations.
- Months 10-12: Partnerships & Launch Evaluate partnership opportunities, refine your business plan with expert feedback, and create a detailed action plan to bring your pharmacy from concept to reality. Attend the NCPA Ownership Workshop, especially if you haven’t already!
Key Program Benefits
✓ Monthly Expert Sessions – 1.5 hours with industry leaders
✓ Monthly Mentor Sessions – 1 hour with experienced rural pharmacy owners
✓ Business Plan Expert Review – Professional feedback available before submitting to lenders
✓ Private Substack Community – Network, learn, and grow with your cohort
✓ Recorded Session Library – Access past content anytime
✓ Self-Directed Activities – Practical exercises that move your goals forward
✓ Resource Library – Templates, checklists, and guides specific to rural pharmacy
✓ Partnership Matchmaking – Connect with potential partners and opportunities
✓ Ongoing Support – Alumni network for continued learning and collaboration
Program Structure
Duration: 12 months
Format: 100% virtual
Time Commitment: Approximately 4-6 hours per month including sessions and self-directed work
Cost: Free (application-based)
Rural Definition
The NCPA Foundation’s definition of rural aligns with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) classification. The intent is to serve communities with the greatest need for pharmacy services. We define a rural community by low population density and located outside of cities and towns, typically featuring open, less developed spaces. We will consider rural to be any area that is not urban which is typically defined as densely settled cores with populations of 50,000 or more (urbanized areas) or 2,500-50,000 (urban clusters).
How This Program Complements NCPA Ownership Workshop
The Rural Pharmacy Ownership Accelerator is designed to work seamlessly with the NCPA Ownership Workshop.
The NCPA Innovation Center Pharmacy Ownership Workshop, sponsored by McKesson and in part by Live Oak Bank and Pharmacists Mutual Companies, is a two-day, in-person, intensive course designed to help you get started on all aspects of ownership, whether you are starting from the ground up or purchasing an existing store.
Our Rural Pharmacy Ownership Accelerator serves as the perfect complement—a free, virtual program that either prepares you to maximize your NCPA Ownership Workshop experience or helps you implement what you learned there with ongoing support and rural-specific guidance.
Both programs recognize that pharmacy ownership requires comprehensive preparation. Where NCPA provides intensive, concentrated learning, we provide sustained, rural-focused support. Where they offer expert instruction on universal business principles, we add mentorship from those who’ve navigated rural-specific challenges. Together, these programs create a complete ownership preparation ecosystem.
Before NCPA Workshop: Our 12-month program builds your foundational knowledge, helps you develop preliminary business plans, and connects you with rural pharmacy mentors. You’ll arrive at the NCPA Ownership Workshop with a clear vision, specific questions, and the context needed to absorb advanced concepts at a deeper level.
After NCPA Workshop: Already attended the NCPA Ownership Workshop? Perfect. Our program provides the structured follow-through many participants need. Just as participants in similar pathways to pharmacy ownership programs have attended the NCPA Ownership Workshop multiple times to refine their plans at different stages, our year-long program gives you space to apply those intensive learnings specifically to rural contexts, with monthly touchpoints and mentor guidance as you progress.
The Power of Repetition and Refinement
Pharmacy ownership is complex and learning compounds over time. Many successful pharmacy owners attend the NCPA Ownership Workshop multiple times throughout their journey—once when exploring ownership, again when finalizing their business plan, and sometimes even after opening to refine their operations. Our Rural Pharmacy Ownership Accelerator extends this learning cycle over the course of 12 months; with ongoing monthly engagement, allowing concepts to sink in, questions emerge naturally, and strategies to evolve with your circumstances.
Scholarships for NCPA Ownership Workshop
When funding allows, we will provide scholarships to program participants to attend the NCPA Ownership Workshop at no cost, removing financial barriers and ensuring you can access both learning experiences.
Whether you attend NCPA’s Ownership Workshop first and join our program for rural-specific implementation support, or complete our program first and arrive at NCPA’s Ownership Workshop fully prepared to engage at an advanced level, these programs work together to set you up for ownership success.
Future: Grant Opportunities
Our hope is to secure additional funding so we can sustain this program in perpetuity and offer start-up grants to those who successfully complete the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to have all my financing secured before applying?
No. This program is designed to help you develop your business plan and financing strategy. You should have a general timeline and target location, but securing financing is part of what we’ll help you plan for.
What if I'm planning to inherit a pharmacy rather than start from scratch?
Perfect! This program serves successors and inheritors who need business management skills to successfully take over an existing pharmacy. The curriculum addresses succession planning and transition strategies.
Can I participate if I'm interested in partnering with a pharmacy group?
Absolutely. We welcome participants exploring various ownership models, including partnerships and group affiliations. Our curriculum and mentorship cover diverse paths to ownership.
How much time will I need to commit each month?
Plan for approximately 3-6 hours monthly: 1.5-hour expert session, 1-hour mentor session, and .5-3 hours for self-directed activities. All sessions are recorded, with permission of the speaker, if you cannot attend live.
Will I have access to program materials after the 12 months end?
Yes! You’ll maintain access to the private Substack community, recorded sessions, and resource library. You’ll also join our alumni network for ongoing support.
What if my target community is uncertain or I'm considering multiple locations?
You should have at least a regional focus (e.g., “rural communities in eastern Kentucky” or “underserved areas in the Great Plains”). The program will hopefully help you narrow your selection and may even provide matchmaking partnership opportunities.
The Rural Pharmacy Ownership Accelerator is committed to increasing access to pharmacy services in rural America by empowering the next generation of pharmacy owners with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to succeed.
