Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants | RUS 20 01 DLT

Opportunity Information: Apply for RUS 20 01 DLT

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants opportunity is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically through its Utilities Programs, and it is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa with implementing regulations at 7 CFR part 1734. The core purpose of the program is to strengthen rural communities by financing projects that enable or improve distance learning and telemedicine services where in-person options are limited, unavailable, or hard to access due to geography and resource constraints. In practical terms, the program is meant to help rural students, educators, health care providers, and residents connect to education, training, and medical services through modern telecommunications tools, expanding access to essential resources that many rural areas cannot easily provide locally.

DLT grant funds are geared toward technology-enabled service delivery. The opportunity emphasizes support for telecommunications-enabled information systems and audio and video equipment, along with related advanced technologies that make remote instruction and remote clinical services possible. The funding is intended to translate into real improvements such as better-connected classrooms, enhanced remote training capabilities, and stronger telehealth links between rural clinics and distant specialists. While the notice highlights equipment and enabling technology, applicants are expected to follow the detailed eligibility rules and cost guidance provided in the FY 2020 DLT Grant Program Application Guide and other official program resources, since the application must be built according to those requirements and any costs incurred while preparing the application are undertaken at the applicant's own risk.

The total funding amount identified in the announcement is approximately $71.7 million. Within that total, the USDA sets aside targeted funding to address substance use challenges affecting rural communities. Up to $12 million is reserved specifically for distance learning and telemedicine projects that help address the opioid epidemic in rural America, and an additional $9.4 million is intended for telemedicine projects focused on providing substance use disorder treatment services in rural areas. After those set-asides, the remaining $50.3 million is available for all eligible DLT projects that meet program requirements, meaning applicants may pursue a broad range of rural distance learning or telemedicine initiatives as long as they fit the program framework.

Eligibility is broad and spans many types of organizations that serve rural areas. Eligible applicants include state, county, and 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 with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. This wide eligibility reflects the program's goal of enabling partnerships across education, health care, and community development, where a variety of local and regional entities may be positioned to deploy and operate distance learning or telemedicine systems.

Key administrative details in the opportunity listing include the Funding Opportunity Number RUS 20 01 DLT and CFDA number 10.855. The award ceiling is listed as $1,000,000, and the agency anticipated making about 200 awards. The opportunity was created on February 10, 2020, and the original application closing date was April 10, 2020. Applicants are directed to consult the FY 2020 Application Guide available through Grants.gov and the USDA Rural Development program webpage for full instructions, required forms, scoring considerations, and the specific rules that govern what the grant will and will not pay for.

• 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 Feb 10, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 10, 2020. (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 200 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 20 01 DLT

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