Opportunity Information: Apply for RUS 25 01 DLT
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants opportunity is a discretionary federal grant program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS). Authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa and implemented through regulations at 7 CFR part 1734, the program is designed to help rural communities access essential services that are often hard to reach locally, especially education, workforce training, and health care. The core idea is to fund modern, telecommunications-based tools that let rural students, educators, clinicians, and residents connect to instruction and medical expertise that may be unavailable nearby or only available in a limited way.
The grants focus on equipment and technology that make distance learning and telemedicine possible or better. That typically includes telecommunications-enabled information systems, audio and video equipment, and other advanced technologies used to deliver instruction, training, consultations, and related services across distances. The program is specifically aimed at improving rural access, so the value proposition is strongest when the project clearly expands what rural users can do: more courses, better instructional delivery, more reliable virtual clinical visits, stronger connections between rural sites and specialized providers, and similar practical improvements.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that commonly anchor rural education and health services. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled colleges and universities; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Tribal governments; nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)); for-profit entities (other than small businesses); and small businesses. In practice, this means projects can be led by school systems, libraries and local governments, hospitals and clinics, colleges, Tribal entities, nonprofits focused on community development, and private-sector partners, as long as the proposal fits the program's rural distance learning or telemedicine purpose and meets the program rules.
For FY 2025, the opportunity number is RUS 25 01 DLT, with CFDA (Assistance Listing) 10.855. The application deadline listed is March 6, 2025. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $1,000,000, and the agency expects to make about 75 awards. The funding activity categories span business and commerce, community development, education, employment/labor and training, health, and regional development, reflecting how distance learning and telehealth can support multiple community needs beyond a single sector.
Applicants are directed to follow the FY 2025 DLT Grant Program Application Guide and related program resources, which are posted on the USDA Rural Development website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants. That guide is emphasized as the primary set of instructions for preparing a compliant application. A key practical note is that costs spent preparing the application are borne by the applicant, meaning there is no reimbursement for proposal development expenses if the application is not funded or if preparatory costs are incurred before an award is made.Apply for RUS 25 01 DLT
- The Rural Utilities Service in the business and commerce, community development, education, employment, labor and training, health, iij, regional development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants" 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 2025-01-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-06. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 75 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), 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.
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Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants (USDA RUS) - FAQs
1) What is the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants program?
The Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grants program is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Utilities Service (RUS). It is designed to help rural communities access essential services, especially education, workforce training, and health care, through modern telecommunications-based tools.
2) What is the purpose of the DLT grant?
The purpose is to improve rural access to services that may be difficult to reach locally by funding technology that enables distance learning and telemedicine. The program supports projects that expand and strengthen connections between rural users and instruction or medical expertise that may not be available nearby (or may be available only in a limited way).
3) What kinds of projects does the DLT program support?
The program supports projects that use telecommunications-based tools to deliver instruction, training, consultations, and related services across distances. Strong projects typically show practical improvements for rural users, such as expanded course offerings, better instructional delivery, more reliable virtual clinical visits, and stronger connections between rural sites and specialized providers.
4) What types of costs or items can DLT grant funds be used for?
DLT grants focus on equipment and technology that make distance learning and telemedicine possible or better. Examples described include telecommunications-enabled information systems, audio and video equipment, and other advanced technologies used to deliver education, training, and clinical consultations remotely.
5) Who is the federal agency running this grant program?
The program is run by the USDA Rural Utilities Service (RUS).
6) What is the legal authority for the DLT program?
The DLT program is authorized under 7 U.S.C. 950aaa and implemented through regulations at 7 CFR part 1734.
7) What is the opportunity number for the FY 2025 DLT grant?
The FY 2025 opportunity number is RUS 25 01 DLT.
8) What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The Assistance Listing (CFDA) number is 10.855.
9) What is the application deadline for FY 2025?
The listed application deadline is March 6, 2025.
10) What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling (maximum award amount) is $1,000,000.
11) How many awards does the agency expect to make?
The agency expects to make about 75 awards.
12) What kinds of applicants are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes:
- State, county, and city or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled colleges and universities
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Tribal governments
- Nonprofits (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3))
- For-profit entities (other than small businesses)
- Small businesses
13) Are Tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
14) Are nonprofits eligible, and does it matter if they are 501(c)(3)?
Yes. Both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits are listed as eligible.
15) Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit entities (other than small businesses) are listed as eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible.
16) What types of community institutions commonly lead DLT projects?
Examples described include school systems, libraries and local governments, hospitals and clinics, colleges, Tribal entities, nonprofits focused on community development, and private-sector partners, as long as the proposal fits the rural distance learning or telemedicine purpose and meets program rules.
17) What are the main service areas the program is meant to improve?
The program is designed to improve access to education, workforce training, and health care services in rural communities, using telecommunications-based tools.
18) Is the program focused specifically on rural areas?
Yes. The program is specifically aimed at improving rural access, and proposals are strongest when they clearly expand what rural users can do through distance learning or telemedicine services.
19) What funding activity categories does this opportunity cover?
The funding activity categories listed include business and commerce, community development, education, employment/labor and training, health, and regional development.
20) Where can applicants find the official application instructions?
Applicants are directed to follow the FY 2025 DLT Grant Program Application Guide and related program resources posted on the USDA Rural Development website: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants. The guide is emphasized as the primary set of instructions for preparing a compliant application.
21) Is the FY 2025 Application Guide important, or can applicants rely on general grant-writing practices?
The FY 2025 DLT Grant Program Application Guide is emphasized as the primary instruction set for preparing a compliant application, so applicants should use it as the main source of requirements and preparation steps.
22) Are application preparation costs reimbursed by the program?
No. A key note is that costs spent preparing the application are borne by the applicant, meaning there is no reimbursement for proposal development expenses if the application is not funded or if preparatory costs are incurred before an award is made.
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| Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Apply for RUS 26 01 DLT Funding Number: RUS 26 01 DLT Agency: Rural Utilities Service Category: Business and Commerce, Community Development, Education, Employment, Labor and Training, Health, IIJ, Regional Development Funding Amount: $750,000 |
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