DISTANCE LEARNING AND TELEMEDICINE GRANT AND LOAN PROGRAM

Applicants must operate a rural community facility or 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.

Grant applicants must demonstrate matching contributions of at least 15 percent of the total amount of financial assistance requested. Greater amounts of eligible matching contributions may increase an applicant's score.

New and emphasized in FY 2011:

• The SUDA designation of Enterprise Community (EC) expired on December 31, 2009. The Champion Community designation ended in FY 2010. The Empowerment Zone designation was extended through December 31, 2011. As a consequence, points will be awarded only for sites located in USDA Empowerment Zones. More details about this change can be found in the FY 2011 Application Guide.
• Applicants are reminded that end user sites are to be rural facilities. Urban facilities can serve as hub sites, but not as end user sites. For projects with non-fixed end user sites, only those end user sites outside urban areas can be funded.
• If a grant application includes a site that is included in any other DLT grant application for FY 2011, or a site that has been included in any DLT grant funded in FY 2010 or FY 2009, the application should contain a detailed explanation of the related applications or grants. USDA must make a nonduplication finding for each grant approved, and apparent but unexplained duplication of funding for a site can prevent such a finding.

Fit for public broadcasting: In the past, the program has been willing to fund digital equipment, including materials for datacasting and master control. Funds have also been used to acquire instructional programming. Up to 10 percent of the grant amount requested may be used to provide training on eligible equipment, or to develop instructional programming.

This grant program offers a great opportunity for public broadcasters. WPSX opened the door to this grant program in 2001, UNC-TV was awarded $345,733 in 2003, and in 2004 KVZK was able to complete their digital transition using DLT funds.

UNC-TV was awarded $345,733 in the 2003 competition
This grant allowed UNC-TV to purchase and install equipment at 20 extension offices in rural North Carolina to receive, view, and record UNC-TV’s digital signal. Through this grant, UNC-TV delivered the latest medical, health, and wellness information to extension agents in the field, for their use with individuals, groups, and medical professionals. ECU and UNC Greensboro partnered with UNC-TV to help service and maintain the equipment, as well as provide content. With this grant, UNC-TV entered the world of datacasting.

WPSU (State College, PA) was awarded $364,087 in the 2001 competition
In partnership with the Cooperative Extension and Outreach Office at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), this project developed a multi-dimensional model for disseminating health messages and motivating rural residents to improve health related behavior. The Creating Health project promoted and supported community-based health activities in conjunction with coordinated health messages developed through Penn State Public Broadcasting (television, radio, interactive web), World Campus, Continuing Education, and various print media. This motivational/educational outreach project promised maximum public access and engagement throughout Pennsylvania. For example, Penn State's 300 agents reach over two million people each year through programs in agriculture, family living, and 4-H/youth and community development. Program content is delivered in multiple media formats, including documentary videos, paper publications and tool kits, and a website that makes it easier to access the material to transport form venue to venue.

Eligibility: Only entities legally organized as one of the following are eligible for DLT financial assistance:

• An incorporated organization or partnership.
• An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization.
• A state or local unit of government.
• A consortium.
• Other legal entity, including a private corporation organized on a for-profit or not-for-profit basis.

Anticipated funding: This notice is being issued prior to passage of a final appropriations act to allow potential applicants time to submit proposals and give the agency time to process applications within the current fiscal year. RUS will publish a subsequent notice identifying the amount received in the final appropriations act, if any. For FY 2010, Congress appropriated approximately $30 million.

In FY 2011, the maximum grant is $500,000, and the minimum grant is $50,000.

How to apply: Application guides and materials can be obtained on the DLT website. Applications can be mailed to the Rural Utilities Service or can be submitted electronically via Grants.gov. Online submission requires registration, a process that usually takes three to five business days but can take as long as four weeks. Be sure to visit Grants.gov and begin registering well in advance of the deadline.

Resources:
Program notice
Program website
Past grant recipients
DLT Resources, including 2011 Application Guide