Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants | RUS 20 02 DLT

Opportunity Information: Apply for RUS 20 02 DLT

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants opportunity is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Utilities Programs, and authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa. Its purpose is to help rural communities start, expand, or improve distance learning and telemedicine services by financing the technology needed to connect people to education, training, and health care that would otherwise be difficult to access locally. In practical terms, the program focuses on building out the tools that allow schools, colleges, clinics, and community facilities to deliver and receive instruction and medical services remotely, especially where geography, limited local resources, or provider shortages create barriers.

DLT grant funds are intended to support telecommunications-enabled solutions, with an emphasis on equipment and advanced technologies used for delivering services over a network. The opportunity highlights information, audio, and video equipment that can be used by students and teachers for remote education, as well as by medical professionals and rural residents for telemedicine. The overall goal is to strengthen rural access to learning and health resources by equipping eligible organizations with the technology that enables real-time or interactive services, rather than leaving rural communities dependent on limited in-person offerings.

Applicants are expected to follow the governing regulation at 7 CFR part 1734 and to prepare submissions using the FY 2020 DLT Grant Program Application Guide and related program resources provided through Grants.gov and the USDA Rural Development website. The notice also makes clear that any costs an applicant incurs while putting together an application are the applicant's responsibility and risk, meaning there is no reimbursement simply for preparing or submitting materials.

This specific posting represents the second application window for the DLT program in fiscal year 2020. The first window made about $71.7 million available, combining $47 million appropriated for FY 2020 plus $24.7 million carried over from FY 2019 that had not been awarded. Window 1 closed on April 10, 2020, and USDA indicated it would continue processing those submissions and issuing awards afterward. For Window 2, the agency planned to roll over any funds not awarded in Window 1 and add an additional $25 million provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The agency also noted it could increase funding if additional appropriations became available for the same purposes, using the application queue under this opportunity.

Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number RUS 20 02 DLT, with an opportunity category of discretionary and a grant as the funding instrument type. The activity categories span business and commerce, community development, education, employment and training, health, and regional development, and the program is listed under CFDA 10.855. Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and local governments; special districts; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized tribal governments; nonprofits (including both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The posting lists an award ceiling of $1,000,000 and anticipates roughly 200 awards. The application window for this posting opened around April 15, 2020, with a closing date of July 13, 2020.

• 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 15, 2020.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 13, 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 02 DLT

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