Opportunity Information: Apply for RUS 17 01 DLT
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant is a competitive grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Utilities Programs. Its purpose is to expand and improve access to education, training, and health care for people living in rural America by supporting technology that makes it possible to deliver services remotely. In practical terms, the program helps rural communities connect students, educators, patients, and medical providers to resources that may be located far away, using telecommunications systems, computer networks, and other advanced digital tools.
The program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa, and the main regulations governing it are found at 7 CFR part 1703, Subparts D through E. Funding is intended for projects that deploy telecommunications-enabled equipment and related technologies, including information, audio, and video solutions that allow instruction or clinical services to be delivered across distance. A key idea behind the program is that the rural end users who benefit from the project are often not in the same physical location as the school, teacher, hospital, specialist, or other service provider. In other words, the grant supports the infrastructure and equipment that make remote learning and telemedicine workable in real-world rural settings.
Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizations that can build and operate these kinds of community-serving systems. Specifically listed eligible applicants include county governments; city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); and for-profit organizations other than small businesses. The opportunity is classified as a discretionary grant, and it falls under the agriculture and health funding activity categories (CFDA 10.855), reflecting USDA Rural Development involvement and the program's strong health and education focus.
For this specific funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RUS 17 01 DLT), the award ceiling is $500,000 per award, and the expected number of awards is about 250. The notice also highlights a priority set-aside: $1,600,000 of the available funds is prioritized for communication upgrades that improve connectivity between ambulances or emergency transportation vehicles and medical facilities. That emphasis signals an intent to strengthen emergency medical communications in rural areas, where distance and limited infrastructure can create serious delays or gaps in care coordination.
Key dates associated with the notice include a creation date of May 19, 2017, and an original closing date of July 17, 2017. Overall, the DLT Grant is designed to help rural communities adopt and expand distance learning and telemedicine capabilities by funding the equipment and advanced technologies needed to deliver education and health services beyond the walls of traditional classrooms and clinics.Apply for RUS 17 01 DLT
- The Department of Agriculture, Utilities Programs in the agriculture, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant" 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 May 19, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 17, 2017. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 250 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: County governments, City or township governments, 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, For profit organizations other than small businesses.
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Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant (USDA) - FAQs
What is the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant?
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant is a competitive (discretionary) grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Utilities Programs. It is designed to expand and improve access to education, training, and health care in rural America by supporting technology that allows services to be delivered remotely.
What is the main goal of the DLT Grant program?
The program focuses on helping rural communities connect students, educators, patients, and medical providers to resources that may be located far away. It supports the telecommunications systems, computer networks, and other advanced digital tools needed to deliver instruction or clinical services across distance.
What kinds of projects does the DLT Grant support?
DLT funding is intended for projects that deploy telecommunications-enabled equipment and related technologies, including information, audio, and video solutions that make distance learning and telemedicine workable in real-world rural settings.
What does "distance learning and telemedicine" mean in practical terms for this program?
In practical terms, the program supports infrastructure and equipment used when the rural end users are not in the same physical location as the teacher, school, hospital, specialist, or other service provider. The grant helps make it possible to deliver education and health services remotely.
Which federal agency runs this grant opportunity?
This grant opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) through its Utilities Programs.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number listed is RUS 17 01 DLT.
Is this a competitive grant?
Yes. The DLT Grant is described as a competitive, discretionary grant program.
What is the legal authority for the DLT Grant?
The program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa.
What regulations govern the DLT Grant program?
The primary regulations referenced are found at 7 CFR part 1703, Subparts D through E.
What funding activity categories does this opportunity fall under?
The notice classifies the opportunity under agriculture and health funding activity categories, reflecting USDA Rural Development involvement and the program's strong education and health focus.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is identified as CFDA 10.855.
Who is eligible to apply for the DLT Grant (based on this notice)?
Eligible applicants listed in the notice include:
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
Does the notice specify an award ceiling?
Yes. The award ceiling for this opportunity is $500,000 per award.
How many awards are expected under this funding opportunity?
The notice states the expected number of awards is about 250.
Is there any special priority or set-aside mentioned?
Yes. The notice highlights a priority set-aside of $1,600,000 for communication upgrades that improve connectivity between ambulances or emergency transportation vehicles and medical facilities.
What types of upgrades are prioritized by the set-aside?
The set-aside prioritizes communication upgrades specifically aimed at improving connectivity between ambulances (or other emergency transportation vehicles) and medical facilities, supporting stronger emergency medical communications in rural areas.
Why does the notice emphasize ambulance-to-facility connectivity?
The notice signals an intent to strengthen emergency medical communications in rural areas, where distance and limited infrastructure can create serious delays or gaps in care coordination.
What is the creation date listed for this funding opportunity?
The notice lists a creation date of May 19, 2017.
What is the original closing date listed for this funding opportunity?
The notice lists an original closing date of July 17, 2017.
What types of technologies are specifically mentioned as being supported?
The notice references telecommunications systems, computer networks, and advanced digital tools, including information, audio, and video solutions that support remote instruction and remote clinical services.
Who are the intended beneficiaries of projects funded by the DLT Grant?
The intended beneficiaries are people living in rural America, including rural students, educators, patients, and medical providers who need reliable access to distant educational and health resources.
What is the overall purpose of the DLT Grant as described in the notice?
The overall purpose is to help rural communities adopt and expand distance learning and telemedicine capabilities by funding the equipment and advanced technologies needed to deliver education and health services beyond the walls of traditional classrooms and clinics.
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