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The Distance Learning and telemedicine Program (DLT) is designed specifically to meet the educational and health care needs of rural America. Through loans, grants and loan/grant combinations, advanced telecommunications technologies provide enhanced learning and health care opportunities for rural residents. The DLT program has funded over 1,050 projects in 48 states and four US territories totaling $350.4 million.
The Application Guide is intended to be the single source an applicant needs to prepare a successful application. It provides extensive guidance and detail on the regulation, useful forms, and instruction on how to prepare and assemble your application. We ask that you carefully follow the 2010 Application Guide and reference the other information provided and hope that you find it helpful. 100% Grant Program Features
DLT grant applications are accepted annually through a competitive process. The “open season” for applications is announced each year, usually in January, through a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register. Applicants are required to provide a minimum of 15 percent in matching funds/. Grant awards can range from a minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum of $500,000.
Eligible Purposes:
- Acquisition of eligible equipment:
- Acquisition of instructional programming
- Acquisition of technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment
- Computer hardware and software
- Audio and video equipment
- Computer network components
- Terminal equipment
- Data terminal equipment
- Inside wiring
- Interactive video equipment
- Other facilities that further DLT services
- Acquisition of instructional programming
- Acquisition of technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment
Competitive Scoring Criteria:
- Rural nature of service area
- Economic need (estimated by the National School Lunch Program)
- Leveraging (matching funds)
- Project Location in USDA Enterprise Zones
- Need for service and benefits
- Innovativeness
- Cost effectiveness
- Cost effectiveness of the system
Combination Loan/Grant Program Features (Applications are not being accepted at this time because we have no current budget authority.)
DLT combination loan/grant applications are accepted year-round, are non-competitive and do not require that applicant to provide matching funds.
Eligible Purpose:
- All eligible grant purposes
- Medical or educational equipment
- Links between teachers and students or medical professionals in the same facility
- Site development and alteration of buildings
- Purchase of land
- Purchase or construction of buildings
- Acquisition of telecommunications transmission facilities provided no facilities exist
Loan to Grant ratios:
- 9:1 ratio; $1 in grant for every $9 in loan
- $50,000 minimum, $1,000,000 maximum
100% Loan Program Features (Applications are not being accepted at this time because we have no current budget authority.)
DLT loan applications are accepted year-round, are non-competitive and do not require the applicant to provide matching funds. Loan awards can range from a minimum of $50,000 up to a maximum of $10,000,000.
Eligible Purposes:
- All eligible combination loan/grant purposes
- Project operating costs for the first two years
- Distance learning broadcasting
DLT Resources
- You will need Acrobat reader 6.0 or higher to view these files.
- Please visit www.adobe.com to download the software for free
Sam Morgan -- sam.morgan@wdc.usda.gov
-- (202) 205-3733
Gary Allan -- gary.allan@wdc.usda.gov
-- (202) 720-0413
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