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.Apply for RUS 21 01 DLT
- 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.
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Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants - FAQs
1) What is the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants program?
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants program is a discretionary federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Utilities Programs. It is designed to help rural communities start, expand, or improve distance learning and telemedicine services using modern telecommunications and related technology.
2) What problem is the DLT program intended to address?
The program aims to reduce the gap in access to education, training, and health care in rural areas where these services can be limited, difficult to reach, or unavailable locally. The program supports technology-enabled service delivery so rural participants can access instruction or clinical services without traveling long distances.
3) What kinds of projects does DLT funding support?
DLT funding supports projects that enable 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. In practice, projects often connect rural sites to resource-rich hubs (for example, hospitals, universities, or specialized training centers).
4) What types of technology or equipment are emphasized by this opportunity?
The opportunity emphasizes technology that enables distance learning and telemedicine, including telecommunications-enabled information systems and audio and video equipment, plus related advanced technologies that support delivery of educational and clinical services.
5) Who benefits from DLT-funded projects?
Intended users and beneficiaries 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.
6) What does it mean to connect rural sites to "resource-rich hubs"?
It refers to linking rural locations to organizations that have specialized expertise and services, such as hospitals, universities, or specialized training centers, so that rural participants can receive instruction, training, or clinical services remotely rather than traveling to those hubs.
7) Who is eligible to apply for the DLT grant?
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
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and other nonprofit structures), excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories
- For-profit organizations, including small businesses and for-profit entities that are not small businesses
8) Are for-profit organizations allowed to apply?
Yes. The eligibility list includes for-profit organizations, including small businesses and for-profit entities that are not small businesses.
9) Can nonprofits apply, and are there any nonprofit-related exclusions mentioned?
Yes. Nonprofits (including 501(c)(3) organizations and other nonprofit structures) are eligible. The eligibility description notes an exclusion for institutions of higher education within those nonprofit categories.
10) What is the legal and regulatory authority for this program?
The program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa and governed by 7 CFR part 1734.
11) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for the FY 2021 posting?
For the FY 2021 posting reflected in the provided information, the Funding Opportunity Number is RUS 21 01 DLT.
12) What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed for the program is 10.855.
13) What is the maximum grant amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling listed is $1,000,000 per award.
14) How many awards were expected for the FY 2021 posting?
The information provided states an expectation of about 90 awards.
15) What were the key dates for the FY 2021 posting?
The opportunity was created on April 5, 2021, with an original closing date of June 4, 2021.
16) What activity categories are associated with the DLT program?
The activity categories tied to the program include education, health, employment and training, community and regional development, and business and commerce.
17) Where can applicants find the official application instructions and guidance?
Applicants are directed to follow the FY 2021 DLT Grant Program Application Guide and related program resources 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.
18) Does USDA reimburse costs incurred to prepare the application?
No. The notice 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.
19) Which USDA component administers this program?
The program is run by the USDA through its Utilities Programs.
20) What is the overall purpose of DLT in practical terms?
In practical terms, the program strengthens rural human services and capacity by supporting connectivity and technology that lets rural communities access education, training, and health care services remotely.
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