Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants | RUS 21 01 DLT

Opportunity Information: Apply for RUS 21 01 DLT

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants opportunity is a discretionary federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Utilities Programs. Authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa and governed by 7 CFR part 1734, the program is designed to help rural communities start, expand, or improve distance learning and telemedicine services. The core idea is to reduce the gap in access to education, training, and health care in places where these services are often limited or hard to reach by using modern telecommunications and related technology.

DLT grant funding focuses on technology that enables remote instruction and remote clinical services, including telecommunications-enabled information systems and audio and video equipment, along with related advanced technologies that support service delivery. The intended users include students and teachers in rural schools and training settings, medical professionals providing care from a distance, and rural residents who benefit from improved access to educational resources and health services that may not be available locally. In practice, the program supports projects that connect rural sites to resource-rich hubs (such as hospitals, universities, or specialized training centers) so rural participants can receive services and expertise without needing to travel long distances.

A wide range of applicants are eligible, reflecting the program's community infrastructure focus. Eligible entities include state, county, city or township governments, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) organizations and other nonprofit structures, excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories); and for-profit organizations, including small businesses and other for-profit entities that are not small businesses. This broad eligibility allows rural-serving education providers, health systems, community organizations, and public agencies to propose projects that address local needs while leveraging partnerships.

For the FY 2021 posting reflected in the source data, the funding opportunity number is RUS 21 01 DLT and the CFDA number is 10.855. The award ceiling listed is $1,000,000 per award, with an expectation of about 90 awards. The opportunity was created on April 5, 2021, with an original closing date of June 4, 2021. The activity categories tied to the program include education, health, employment and training, community and regional development, and business and commerce, which matches the program's purpose of strengthening rural human services and capacity through connectivity and technology.

Applicants are directed to follow the FY 2021 DLT Grant Program Application Guide and related program resources, which are available through the Grants.gov entry and on the USDA Rural Development website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants. The notice also emphasizes that any costs incurred while preparing an application are the applicant's responsibility, meaning there is no reimbursement for proposal development expenses if the project is not funded.

• The Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs in the business and commerce, community development, education, employment, labor and training, health, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.855.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 05, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 04, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 90 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses.

Apply for RUS 21 01 DLT

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: