Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants — USDA Rural Development funding opportunity
USDA Rural Development · Federal agency

Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population...

83
match
Deadline Rolling Location Alabama Type grant Level Federal Open
✦ AI Summary
  • Who can apply: Federal-level applicants (see eligibility for details).
  • Deadline: Rolling — applications accepted any time.
  • Catch: Match funding required (15.00%) — you must contribute your own money on top of the award.
  • Issued by: USDA Rural Development.
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How was this generated?

The “key facts” mode pulls structured fields directly from the official source posting (amount, deadline, eligibility tags). The AI mode adds a short plain-English narrative on top, generated from the same source. Always verify with the agency before applying.

AI-generated. Always verify with the official source.

Who can apply — at a glance

  • Eligible applicants: see the Eligibility tab for the criteria from the official announcement.
  • Where: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, District of Columbia.
  • Award: amount not specified by the source.
  • Matching funds: required — 15% match.
  • Deadline type: Rolling.

Compiled from the official listing's structured fields — always verify with the funder before applying.

About the funder

USDA Rural Development is a federal-level funder.

See all 32 open programs from this agency →

Deadline
Rolling
Match required
15.00%

About this opportunity

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grants Application Window: Closed Program Application Period: The Agency is NOT currently accepting applications for this program due to funding constraints. Good to Know: For questions, contact a program official (see contact tab). Fact Sheet Federal Register Notice Grants.gov Posting Overview To Apply Other Requirements Contact Events Overview What does this program do? This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other - and the world - overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. Based on Fiscal Year 2026 appropriated funding, the agency estimates that approximately $27 million will be available. As permitted, we also will make available any unused appropriations from prior fiscal years, and can increase funding if additional appropriations become available. To learn more about recently funded DLT projects, Rural Development has developed a map of recently funded DLT projects  All upcoming events will be posted on the events program tab. Who may apply? For both programs, eligible applicants include most entities that provide education or health care through telecommunications, including: State and local governmental organizations Federally-recognized Tribes Non-profit organizations Incorporated, for-profit businesses Groups of eligible entities working together What is an eligible area? The DLT program is targeted to rural areas with populations 20,000 or fewer. How may the funds be used? Funds can be used to purchase or support: interactive video equipment Broadband facilities used for distance learning or telemedicine (up to a certain percentage) Computer hardware, network components, and software Instructional programming Limited technical assistance and instruction on how to use distance learning and telemedicine equipment What kinds of funding are available? Grant-only funds, awarded through a nationally competitive process  – 15% match required. Funds are awarded through a nationally-competitive process. Currently, this is a grant-only program; there is no DLT loan or loan and grant combination. What are the grant terms? Awardees have a three-year performance period beginning the date funds are released. What are some grant requirements? Awards range from $50,000 to $750,000. A minimum 15 percent match is required and cannot be from another federal source. Who currently participates in this program? See our previous year award summaries on the To Apply tab for a list of current participants. How do we get started? Applicants can apply online via Grants.gov . Program Resources are available online (includes , etc.) on the To Apply tab above. Check back here or contact your General Field Representative for additional information. Who can answer questions about this program? For questions related to the DLT program, please use the Contact Us Form and select "Distance Learning & Telemedicine Program" as the subject. General Field Representative (GFR) Contact What governs this program? Code of Federal Regulation   7 CFR Part 1734 Why does USDA Rural Development do this? The DLT grant program helps rural residents tap into the enormous potential of the internet to improve education and health care; two of the most crucial keys to successful rural economic and community development. NOTE: Program details may change over time. Before you begin an application, please confirm you have the most current information by contacting your General Field Representative for assistance, or consult the program instructions listed in the section above titled "What Governs this Program?" To Ap

Funding agency

USDA Rural Development
Federal agency

Tags

Agriculture & Farming Healthcare & Biotech Nonprofit & Community Technology & Software Education & Research Construction & Housing Tribal & Native Rural Development Finance & Capital Access Education rural rural-development telemedicine
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Who can apply

Eligibility details aren't on file yet — check the agency source link in the Documents tab for the latest rules.

Geographic eligibility

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • Arkansas
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • North Dakota
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
  • District of Columbia
Match contribution required

Applicants must contribute 15.00% of the award amount from non-federal sources. Confirm exact match rules with the agency before applying.

How to apply

We don't have application instructions on file yet — head straight to the official source.

Apply on agency site
Tip from our team:

Read the agency's eligibility checklist before you start — it's almost always shorter than the full NOFO and will tell you in 90 seconds whether to keep going.

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Source documents

View on agency site
Canonical NOFO, application packet, and forms
No supplemental documents yet.

Direct downloads (NOFO PDFs, application forms, FAQs) will appear here once our team attaches them. For now, the agency site has the canonical packet.

Citation details

Source systemusda-rd
Source IDdistance-learning-telemedicine-grants

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