Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- RUS-26-01-DLT
- Agency
-
Rural Utilities Services
Washington Office, Department of Agriculture
- Applications due
- Award size
- $50,000 to $750,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Categories
-
- Business and Commerce
- Community Development
- Education
- Employment, Labor and Training
- Health
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)
- Regional Development
- Eligible applicants
-
- Higher Education Inst. (Public)
- County Governments
- Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- State Governments
- Special District Governments
- Non-501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Small Businesses
- Higher Education Inst. (Private)
- City/Township Governments
- Independent School Districts
- For Profit Organizations
- 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Agriculture Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is soliciting grant applications to fund distance learning and telemedicine infrastructure projects that expand access to educational and healthcare services in rural communities. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, governmental entities, nonprofits, small businesses, and tribal governments that can demonstrate the capacity to contract with RUS and serve rural areas with populations of 20,000 or fewer. Projects must acquire and install telecommunications-enabled equipment, audio and video systems, broadband facilities (limited to 20 percent of grant amount), extended warranties and maintenance contracts (up to three years), instructional programming, and technical assistance (limited to 10 percent of grant amount). Applications will be evaluated using objective criteria including rurality category (up to 40 points based on 2020 Census data), economic need based on county poverty percentages (up to 30 points), and subjective assessment of service needs and project benefits (up to 30 points). All applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by June 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET, with anticipated awards announced by September 30, 2026.
Individual grant awards will range from $50,000 to $750,000, with approximately $27 million in total funding available and roughly 40 awards anticipated for FY 2026. Applicants must provide a minimum 15 percent matching contribution in cash or non-depreciated in-kind items and comply with a three-year performance period beginning upon fund release. Projects must serve rural areas (populations under 20,000 or urbanized areas adjacent to cities under 50,000), cannot be located in areas covered by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act, and require annual performance reporting and federal audit compliance under 2 CFR Part 200.
Synopsis
Authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa, the DLT Program provides financial assistance to enable and improve distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas. DLT grant funds support the use of telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. These grants are intended to increase rural access to education, training, and health care resources that are otherwise unavailable or limited in scope.
The regulation for the DLT Program can be found at 7 CFR part 1734. All applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications according to instructions in the FY 2026 DLT Grant Program Application Guide (Application Guide) and program resources. This Application Guide will be made available here and on the program website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant's own risk.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FY2026 DLT SAMPLE Worksheets.xlsm | XLSM spreadsheet | |
| FY2026 DLT Checklist.pdf | ||
| FY2026 DLT Application Guide.pdf | ||
| FY2026 DLT NOFO.pdf |
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