15 Apr Funding Alert! Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
United States Department of Agriculture – Rural Development, Rural Utilities Service
Does your organization provide education or health care services in rural areas? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting proposals for its 2021 Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) grants program. The goal of the DLT program is to enable and improve rural access to education, training, and health care through modern telecommunications technology. This 27-year-old program has helped to establish hundreds of distance learning and telemedicine systems in rural areas throughout the United States. Proposals for this year’s solicitation are due June 4, 2021.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include most types of organizations that use telecommunications to provide education or health care. This includes state and governmental entities, federally recognized tribes, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, and consortia of eligible entities.
For the purposes of this program, eligible rural areas are defined as having populations of 20,000 or less.
What are the program details?
Education and health care are two key elements of economic and community development. As such, the DLT program promotes improved access to these critical resources for rural residents by leveraging the potential of the internet and modern telecommunications technology. The program supports the use of telecommunications equipment, programming, and other technologies by teachers, students, medical professionals, and rural residents. Eligible purchases fall into three categories:
- Acquiring eligible equipment (purchase or lease), such as the following:
- Broadband facilities;
- Audio, video, and interactive video equipment;
- Terminal and data terminal equipment;
- Computer hardware, network components, and software; and
- Inside wiring/infrastructure that furthers DLT services.
- Acquiring instructional programming (as a capital asset). This includes purchasing or leasing instructional programming that is already on the market; however, renewals of programming, classroom/laboratory equipment, and fees for tuition, coursework, events, etc. are not eligible expenses.
- Providing technical assistance and instruction on using eligible equipment and software. This might include training, developing instructional programming (as a capital asset), or engineering/environmental studies that support a new or expanded telecommunications infrastructure.
USDA DLT awards can range from $50,000 to $1 million, with a total of about $44.5 million in funding available for fiscal year 2021. All applications require non-federal matching contributions (cash or in-kind) of at least 15% of the requested grant amount.
What makes a project a good fit?
The USDA seeks projects that advance equity and economic opportunity in rural areas. Specifically, the agency is pursuing the following priorities in fiscal year 2021:
- Containing the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Ensuring racial equity;
- Rebuilding our rural economy; and
- Addressing the climate crisis.
In addition, the funder may award special consideration points for projects that focus on one of the two following areas: 1) opioid or substance use disorder treatment or 2) serving federally recognized tribal lands.
What if I am ready to apply? To move your project forward, take the following action steps as soon as possible:
- Review the full program solicitation for additional details and review criteria.
- View the USDA’s Rural Development DLT program page for examples of previously funded proposals, tips and assistance, program contacts, and other news and resources.
- Mark your calendar for Tuesday, April 20 for an informational webinar. You can register to attend here.
- Make sure your System for Award Management (SAM) registration is active and be sure you have agov profile. You can check your SAM status here: https://www.sam.gov/SAM/pages/public/searchRecords/search.jsf.
What if I need help with this application?
Contact Assel Grant Services (AGS) today! Our team can help with all aspects of preparing the application and managing the grant if you are awarded. If you would like to discuss this possibility, please contact AGS as soon as possible. Rosie Brennan, Community Engagement Specialist, will be happy to talk with you about this opportunity and provide you a quote for grant services.
What if I am not ready to apply this year?
Start preparing for next year! The USDA’s Rural Development office also has a variety of other programs and funding opportunities available that might be a good fit. The office’s website has ample resources and descriptions of available or upcoming opportunities.
How do I learn more about federal grant opportunities?
AGS is excited to offer a new Federal Grants Training Series coming in 2021! The series is designed to support nonprofit professionals before and during their first federal grant. AGS also offers several on demand webinars on a variety of topics to support the full grant cycle. Check out our website to learn more and sign up for our training newsletter.
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Competency #1: Knowledge of how to research, identify, and match funding resources to meet specific needs
Skill 1.2: Identify major trends in public funding and public policy
Skill 1.6: Identify fundable programs and projects for specific organization
Skill 1.7: Determine best matches between funders and specific programs