Opportunity Information: Apply for RUS 16 01 DLT

  • The USDA-RUS in the community development, education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program" 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 Jan 14, 2016 and posted on Jan 14, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 14, 2016. (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 65 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), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), 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 16 01 DLT

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Opportunity Summary:

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service (USDA-RUS). Its purpose is to support projects that use telecommunications and related technology to improve access to education and health care services, especially in rural and underserved communities. In practical terms, the program funds efforts that allow people in remote areas to connect to teachers, trainers, doctors, specialists, and other service providers without having to travel long distances, helping communities strengthen local capacity and improve quality of life.

This funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number: RUS 16 01 DLT; CFDA: 10.855) falls under the broader activity areas of community development, education, and health. Awards are provided as grants, and the maximum award amount listed is $500,000. The opportunity anticipated making about 65 awards, indicating a competitive process with multiple funded projects rather than a single large award. The posting and creation dates were January 14, 2016, and the application deadline was March 14, 2016.

Eligible applicants are broadly defined, reflecting the wide range of organizations that can deliver or support distance learning and telemedicine services. Eligibility includes 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 tribal governments and other tribal organizations; nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. This wide eligibility suggests the program is designed to encourage partnerships among schools, hospitals or clinics, local governments, universities, nonprofits, and private-sector technology or service providers, depending on the needs of the community.

Overall, the DLT Grant Program is aimed at expanding and improving technology-enabled services that bridge geographic barriers. Typical outcomes supported by this kind of program include better access to remote instruction, professional development and training, telehealth consultations, and other forms of real-time or technology-assisted service delivery that can reduce isolation and improve educational and health outcomes in rural areas.

Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program (USDA-RUS) - FAQs

What is the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program?

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service (USDA-RUS). It supports projects that use telecommunications and related technology to improve access to education and health care services, with a strong focus on rural and underserved communities.

What is the purpose of this grant opportunity?

The purpose is to fund efforts that help people in remote areas connect to teachers, trainers, doctors, specialists, and other service providers without traveling long distances. The broader goal is to strengthen local capacity and improve quality of life by reducing geographic barriers to essential services.

Which federal agency administers the DLT Grant Program?

The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), through the Rural Utilities Service (RUS).

Is this funding provided as a grant or another type of assistance?

Awards under this opportunity are provided as grants.

What is the maximum award amount for this opportunity?

The maximum award amount listed for this opportunity is $500,000.

About how many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated making approximately 65 awards, which suggests a competitive process with multiple projects funded rather than a single large award.

What are the key identifiers for this funding opportunity?

The Funding Opportunity Number is RUS 16 01 DLT, and the CFDA number is 10.855.

What activity areas does this opportunity support?

This opportunity falls under the broader activity areas of community development, education, and health.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include a wide range of organization types, including:

  • 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 tribal governments
  • Other tribal organizations
  • Nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category specified)
  • For-profit organizations other than small businesses
  • Small businesses

Can local governments apply?

Yes. Eligibility explicitly includes county governments, city or township governments, and special district governments, as well as state governments.

Can schools and school districts apply?

Yes. Independent school districts are listed as eligible applicants.

Can colleges and universities apply?

Yes. Both public/state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible.

Can tribal governments or tribal organizations apply?

Yes. Federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations are included among eligible applicants.

Are nonprofits eligible even if they do not have 501(c)(3) status?

Yes. The eligibility description includes nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, with the noted limitation that they must not be institutions of higher education in the nonprofit category specified.

Are for-profit organizations eligible?

Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are eligible, and small businesses are also explicitly listed as eligible.

What kinds of projects does the DLT program support?

The program supports projects that use telecommunications and related technology to expand or improve access to distance learning and telemedicine services. In practical terms, it funds efforts that enable remote connections between community members and service providers such as teachers, trainers, doctors, and specialists.

How does the program help rural or underserved communities?

By supporting technology-enabled services that reduce the need for long-distance travel, the program helps bridge geographic isolation and expand access to education and health care resources that may otherwise be difficult to reach in rural or underserved areas.

What are examples of outcomes the program aims to support?

Typical outcomes associated with this program include improved access to remote instruction, professional development and training delivered at a distance, telehealth consultations, and other real-time or technology-assisted service delivery that can improve educational and health outcomes.

Is the DLT program intended to encourage partnerships?

The broad eligibility suggests the program is designed to encourage partnerships among organizations such as schools, hospitals or clinics, local governments, universities, nonprofits, and private-sector technology or service providers, depending on community needs.

When was this funding opportunity posted?

The posting date and creation date were both January 14, 2016.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline listed for this opportunity was March 14, 2016.

Is this opportunity competitive?

Yes. The opportunity anticipated about 65 awards, which indicates a competitive process where multiple applicants could be funded.

What is the practical impact of a DLT-funded project?

DLT-funded projects are intended to make it easier for people in remote areas to receive education and health care-related services through telecommunications and related technology, reducing isolation and helping communities build local capacity over time.

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