Opportunity Information: Apply for RUS 14 01 DLT
Apply for RUS 14 01 DLT
- The Utilities Programs in the community development education employment, labor and training health regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Distance Learning" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.855 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 2, 2014 and posted on May 23, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 7, 2014 Because of technical problems using Grants.gov, the posting date is one day after the NOFA publication date. The 45 day open window is based on the Publication date of the NOFA, which was May 22, 2014. IMPORTANT TO NOTE ALSO that the original NOFA in the Federal Register of May 22, 2014, had an ERROR in FR Doc. 201411700, on page 29403, in the second column, under the F. Deadline caption. A correction has been submitted to correct 2. to read 2. Electronic grant applications must be received by July 7, 2014 to be eligible for FY 2014 funding. Late or incomplete applications will not be eligible for FY 2014 grant funding.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $19,300,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: County governments City or township governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Private institutions of higher education Small businesses Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Special district governments Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education State governments Independent school districts Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.
- Be legally organized as an incorporated organization or partnership an Indian tribe or tribal organization a state or local unit of government a consortium or other legal entity, including a private corporation organized on a for profit or not for profit basis with the legal capacity to contract with the United States Government. Specific legal definitions and citations can be found in 7 CFR 1703.103(a)(1) 1703.125(k). Many applicants for DLT Grants are informal consortia. This means that they are an assemblage of individual legal entities, such as school districts, that are working together specifically for the purpose of applying for a grant. However, as a group they do not have a separate legal existence. For additional guidance about applying as a consortium, please turn to Legal Eligibility under Section IV. 2. Either operate a rural community facility directly, or deliver distance learning or telemedicine services to another organization that operates a rural community facility. 3. Currently deliver or propose to deliver distance learning or telemedicine services for the term of the grant. Competitive proposals demonstrate an ability to sustain a project beyond the three year term of the grant. To receive a grant, the purposes must meet the grant definition of distance learning and/or telemedicine. The DLT program is focused on financing projects that will be sustainable. Planning studies, research projects, and short term demonstration projects will not be considered. Equipment vendors, system integrators, and other businesses whose purpose in the proposal is to sell equipment or technological services to support applicants cannot themselves be applicants or affiliates of the applicant. Be legally organized as an incorporated organization or partnership an Indian tribe or tribal organization a state or local unit of government a consortium or other legal entity, including a private corporation organized on a for profit or not for profit basis with the legal capacity to contract with the United States Government. Specific legal definitions and citations can be found in 7 CFR 1703.103(a)(1) 1703.125(k). Many applicants for DLT Grants are informal consortia. This means that they are an assemblage of individual legal entities, such as school districts, that are working together specifically for the purpose of applying for a grant. However, as a group they do not have a separate legal existence. For additional guidance about applying as a consortium, please turn to Legal Eligibility under Section IV. 2. Either operate a rural community facility directly, or deliver distance learning or telemedicine services to another organization that operates a rural community facility. 3. Currently deliver or propose to deliver distance learning or telemedicine services for the term of the grant. Competitive proposals demonstrate an ability to sustain a project beyond the three year term of the grant. To receive a grant, the purposes must meet the grant definition of distance learning and/or telemedicine. The DLT program is focused on financing projects that will be sustainable. Planning studies, research projects, and short term demonstration projects will not be considered. Equipment vendors, system integrators, and other businesses whose purpose in the proposal is to sell equipment or technological services to support applicants cannot themselves be applicants or affiliates of the applicant.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Distance Learning opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number RUS 14 01 DLT) is a USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs grant competition that supports projects delivering distance learning and telemedicine services to rural communities. It is part of the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants program (CFDA 10.855) and is positioned as a community development investment that can strengthen education, workforce development, health services, and broader regional development by connecting rural sites to instruction, training, and clinical expertise that may not be locally available.
For FY 2014, the program anticipated making about 100 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $19.3 million. Individual grant awards were expected to range from $50,000 (award floor) to $500,000 (award ceiling). A cost share or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants must contribute non-federal resources toward the project. The announcement was posted May 23, 2014, with the open application window tied to the Federal Register publication date of May 22, 2014. Applications were due July 7, 2014. The notice highlights that the original Federal Register posting contained an error related to the deadline language and that a correction was submitted to clarify that electronic applications had to be received by July 7, 2014 to be eligible. It also emphasizes that late or incomplete applications would not be considered for FY 2014 funding.
Eligible applicants include a wide mix of public, nonprofit, tribal, and certain private entities. Specifically listed eligible types include state governments, 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, small businesses, and nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities other than higher education institutions). Beyond the category list, the eligibility section stresses that an applicant must be a legally organized entity with the capacity to contract with the U.S. Government, such as an incorporated organization, partnership, tribe or tribal organization, state or local government, consortium, or private corporation organized for-profit or nonprofit, with further definitions referenced in 7 CFR 1703.103(a)(1) and 1703.125(k).
The program is specifically oriented to serving rural community facilities. Applicants must either operate a rural community facility directly or provide distance learning or telemedicine services to another organization that operates one. Applicants also must be currently delivering, or proposing to deliver, distance learning or telemedicine services for the full term of the grant. The notice underscores that competitive proposals show a realistic plan to sustain the project beyond the three-year grant term, reflecting the program focus on lasting, operational systems rather than one-off efforts. In line with that sustainability goal, the opportunity states that planning studies, research projects, and short-term demonstration projects will not be considered. Another key restriction is that equipment vendors, system integrators, and similar firms whose primary role in the proposal is selling equipment or tech services cannot be the applicant or an affiliate of the applicant, which is intended to keep awards focused on service providers and community-serving organizations rather than sellers.
Administratively, the posting calls out an important practical workaround: if applicants have trouble uploading required attachments from the DLT Toolkit through Grants.gov, they are instructed to submit a hard copy application following the process described in the 2014 DLT Application Guide. Additional guidance and resources are available through the USDA Rural Development RUS Telecom Program DLT resource webpage. For access issues or questions about the full announcement, the listed point of contact is Sam Morgan, Management Analyst, at 202-205-3733, with contact also available through the USDA Rural Development RUS email channel.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants (FY 2014)
What is this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is the USDA Rural Development Utilities Programs Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant competition (Funding Opportunity Number: RUS 14 01 DLT). It supports projects that deliver distance learning and telemedicine services to rural communities.
What program is this funding under?
The opportunity is part of the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants program (CFDA 10.855).
What kinds of community needs is the program designed to support?
The notice positions DLT funding as a community development investment that can strengthen education, workforce development, health services, and broader regional development by connecting rural sites to instruction, training, and clinical expertise that may not be available locally.
How much funding was available for FY 2014?
For FY 2014, the program anticipated making about 100 awards with an estimated total funding amount of $19.3 million.
What is the minimum and maximum grant size?
Individual grant awards were expected to range from $50,000 (award floor) to $500,000 (award ceiling).
Is there a cost share or matching requirement?
Yes. A cost share or matching requirement applies, meaning applicants must contribute non-federal resources toward the project.
When was the FY 2014 announcement posted?
The announcement was posted May 23, 2014, and the open application window was tied to the Federal Register publication date of May 22, 2014.
What was the application deadline for FY 2014?
Applications were due July 7, 2014. The notice also emphasizes that electronic applications had to be received by July 7, 2014 to be eligible.
Why does the notice mention a correction about the deadline?
The notice states that the original Federal Register posting contained an error related to the deadline language, and a correction was submitted to clarify that electronic applications had to be received by July 7, 2014 to be eligible.
Will late or incomplete applications be accepted?
No. The notice emphasizes that late or incomplete applications would not be considered for FY 2014 funding.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include a wide mix of public, nonprofit, tribal, and certain private entities. Specifically listed types include:
- 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 and other tribal organizations
- Small businesses
- Nonprofits (501(c)(3) and certain non-501(c)(3) entities other than higher education institutions)
Does an applicant need to be formally established as an organization?
Yes. The eligibility section stresses that an applicant must be a legally organized entity with the capacity to contract with the U.S. Government. Examples listed include an incorporated organization, partnership, tribe or tribal organization, state or local government, consortium, or private corporation organized for-profit or nonprofit. The notice references further definitions in 7 CFR 1703.103(a)(1) and 1703.125(k).
Do projects need to serve rural areas?
Yes. The program is specifically oriented to serving rural community facilities.
What is a key operational requirement related to rural community facilities?
Applicants must either operate a rural community facility directly or provide distance learning or telemedicine services to another organization that operates a rural community facility.
Do applicants need to already provide distance learning or telemedicine services?
Applicants must be currently delivering, or proposing to deliver, distance learning or telemedicine services for the full term of the grant.
How long is the grant term discussed in the notice?
The notice references a three-year grant term and emphasizes that competitive proposals should show a realistic plan to sustain the project beyond that three-year period.
What does the program mean by sustainability?
The opportunity emphasizes a realistic plan to sustain the project beyond the three-year grant term, reflecting a focus on lasting, operational systems rather than one-off efforts.
Are planning studies or research projects eligible?
No. The opportunity states that planning studies, research projects, and short-term demonstration projects will not be considered.
Are short-term demonstration projects eligible?
No. The opportunity explicitly states that short-term demonstration projects will not be considered.
Can an equipment vendor or system integrator apply as the lead applicant?
No. The opportunity states that equipment vendors, system integrators, and similar firms whose primary role in the proposal is selling equipment or technology services cannot be the applicant or an affiliate of the applicant.
What is the purpose of restricting vendor-led applications?
The notice indicates the restriction is intended to keep awards focused on service providers and community-serving organizations rather than sellers of equipment or technology services.
What should an applicant do if they have trouble uploading required attachments through Grants.gov?
The posting provides a workaround: if applicants have trouble uploading required attachments from the DLT Toolkit through Grants.gov, they are instructed to submit a hard copy application following the process described in the 2014 DLT Application Guide.
Where can applicants find additional guidance and resources?
Additional guidance and resources are available through the USDA Rural Development RUS Telecom Program DLT resource webpage. The notice also references the 2014 DLT Application Guide for submission steps (including hard copy submission when needed).
Who is the point of contact for questions about this opportunity?
The listed point of contact is Sam Morgan, Management Analyst, at 202-205-3733. The notice also mentions contact through the USDA Rural Development RUS email channel.
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