Skip to main content

Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT)

Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Opportunity Information

The purpose of the DLT program is to fund telecommunications enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies which extend educational and medical applications into rural areas. Funds may also be used to provide for communication upgrades between ambulances, emergency transportation vehicles, and medical facilities. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants

View Application

The purpose of the DLT program is to fund telecommunications enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies which extend educational and medical applications into rural areas. Funds may also be used to provide for communication upgrades between ambulances, emergency transportation vehicles, and medical facilities. https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants

Program Amount

Minimum grant request amount of $50,000 and maximum grant request of $1,000,000 per application

Application Deadline

6/4/2021

Competitive

Eligible projects are selected based on specific criteria in the NOFO; minimum 15% match is required

Eligible Applicants

Entities that provide education or health care through telecommunications, including most state and local governmental entities, federally recognized Tribes, non-profits, for-profit businesses, and consortia of eligible entities

Objective

Funds rural communities use of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density

Equipment

Acquisition of eligible capital assets, such as broadband transmission facilities; audio, video and interactive video equipment; terminal and data terminal equipment; computer hardware, network components, and software; inside wiring and similar infrastructure that further DLT services

Personnel/Training

Instructional programming that is a capital asset, technical assistance, and instruction for using equipment

Application Guide Language

The purpose of the DLT grant program is to deliver education or medical care between remote sites via telecommunications, not simply to furnish educational or medical technology.

Interpretation

While NG911 is not specifically mentioned, recipients should consider integrating NG911 strategic planning with efforts to increase education, training, and health care resources that are otherwise unavailable or limited in scope.