Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants | RUS 25 01 DLT

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.

• 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.

Apply for RUS 25 01 DLT

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: