The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand announced that USDA is opening a second application window for funding under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program. The USDA is providing this second window for those who were unable to meet the initial deadline of April 10, 2020 due to the COVID-19 National Emergency.
More than $71 million has been made available across the two application windows. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act) also added an additional $25 million to the fund.
The second window will be open for applications from April 14 to July 13, 2020. All criteria for the grant application will remain the same for the second window period; however, only electronic applications will be accepted.
Eligible applicants include most state and local government entities, federally recognized tribes, non-profits, and for-profit businesses.
The DLT grant program is designed to bolster telemedicine capabilities for hospitals and health systems in rural areas. Funding will help improve telehealth infrastructure for rural communities while also helping to meet current telemedicine needs through the COVID-19 National Emergency. Last year, a total of $42.5 million was distributed across 133 programs through the DLT program. Of those programs selected, 74 were specific to telemedicine.
For more information, please contact Jennifer M. Summa or Keith Fagerquist. You may also visit the Coronavirus (COVID-19): What You Need to Know resource page on our website.