Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Who has received this funding
Organizations awarded under CFDA 10.855 (USAspending.gov).
- Unicom, Inc. 2 awards $56,039,614
- Bristol Bay Telephone Cooperative Inc $34,885,420
- Oglala Sioux Tribe Of Pine Ridge Indian Reservation $34,748,254
- Alaska Telephone Company $33,017,636
- Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative Inc $30,970,030
- Fsm Telecommunications Corporation $25,000,000
- Cordova Telecom Cooperative, Incorporated $25,000,000
- Project Telephone Company $24,998,534
- Pawnee Nation Of Oklahoma $24,996,065
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
To encourage and improve the use of telemedicine, telecommunications, computer networks, and related advanced technologies to provide educational and medical benefits through distance learning and telemedicine projects to people living in rural areas and to improve rural opportunities.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Tribal Government (other)
- Municipality/Township Government
- School District
- County Government
- Local Government Consortium
- Nonprofit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
To be eligible to receive a grant, loan and grant combination, or loan, the applicant must 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. The applicant must have legal capacity to contract with RUS. The applicant also must propose to utilize the financing to: (i) operate a rural community facility; or (ii) deliver distance learning or telemedicine services to entities that operate a rural community facility or to residents of rural areas at rates calculated to ensure that the benefit of the financial assistance is passed through to such entities or to residents of rural areas. The applicant must not be delinquent on any Federal debt. RUS electric and telecommunications borrowers are not eligible for grants. Generally, applicants are organizations such as schools, libraries, hospitals, medical centers, or other eligible organizations that will be users of a telecommunications, computer network, or related advanced technology system to provide educational and/or medical benefits to rural residents.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Based on a determination that the project is economically feasible and serves the purposes the program, awards are approved. For grants, RUS rates the applicants based on specified scoring criteria and determines awards based on those ratings.
The program open under funding windows established under a NOFA/NOSA process annually. Pre-application costs are not eligible, costs incurred after submittal of an application may be eligible. The standard project period is 3 years.
Applications are competitively selected each fiscal year for which funding is made available. Applicants whose application was not selected in one year may resubmit an updated and improved application in a subsequent year in the competition.
Program details & compliance
Description
This program provides funding for equipment to be used to provide distance learning or telemedicine services in rural areas.
Mission Categories
Primary: Rural Community Development
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Telecommunications, computer networks and related advanced technologies that connect medical professionals or teachers at originating sites, rural or non-rural, to medical professionals, patients, teachers and students at rural end-user sites.
Restrictions
A grant made under this subpart will not be provided or used:
(1) To pay for medical or educational equipment not having telemedicine or distance learning as its essential function;
(2) To pay for Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems;
(3) To pay salaries, wages, or employee benefits to medical or educational personnel;
(4) To pay for the salaries or administrative expenses of the applicant or the project;
(5) To purchase equipment that will be owned by the local exchange carrier or another telecommunications service provider unless that service provider is the applicant.
(6) To duplicate facilities providing distance learning or telemedicine services in place or to reimburse the applicant or others for costs incurred prior to RUS' receipt of the completed application;
(7) To pay costs of preparing the application package for financial assistance under this program;
(8) For projects whose sole objective is to provide links between teachers and students or between medical professionals who are located at the same facility or campus environment;
(9) For site development and the destruction or alteration of buildings;
(10) For the purchase of land, buildings, or building construction;
(11) For projects located in areas covered by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.);
(12) For any purpose that the Administrator has not specifically approved;
(13) Except for leases provided for in § 1734.21, to pay the cost of recurring or operating expenses for the project
Required Documentation
See 7 CFR Part 1734 for details.
Matching Requirements
15% of the grant amount requested. Generally, matching funds must be in the form of cash. See 7 CFR 1734.22 for additional information.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements