USDA Rural Development-UTP DLT

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant 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.

Please visit the DLT Resource Page for information including the 2012 NOFA, FAQs, and the DLT Brochure

Eligibility:

Entities providing education and medical care via telecommunications including corporations or partnerships, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, state or local units of government, consortia, and private for-profit or not-for profit corporations. Individuals are not eligible.

Applications:

DLT 100% grant applications are accepted through a competitive process. The application window is announced annually (typically after the first of the year) through a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register. Applicants are required to provide a minimum 15 percent match. Awards can range from $50,000 to $500,000.

(Please note: Because no budget authority has been appropriated, applications are not currently being accepted for either 100% loans or loan/grant combinations as described below.)

DLT 100% loan applications are accepted year-round, are non-competitive and do not require the applicant to provide matching funds. Loan awards range from $50,000 to $10,000,000.
DLT combination loan/grant applications are accepted year-round, are non-competitive and do not require that applicant to provide matching funds. Loan awards range from $50,000 to $10,000,000.

Fund Uses:

Purposes Eligible for 100% Grant, Combination Loan/Grant, and 100% Loan

Acquisition of eligible capital assets:
- Interactive video equipment
- Audio and video equipment
- Terminal equipment
- Data terminal equipment
- Inside wiring
- Computer hardware and software
- Computer network components
- Other facilities that further DLT services
Acquisition of instructional programming that is a capital asset
Acquisition of technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment

Additional Purposes Eligible for Combination Loan/Grants and 100% Loans

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

Additional Purposes Eligible for 100% Loans

Project operating costs for the first two years
Distance learning broadcasting

Requests for 100% Grant Proposals:

Applications are accepted annually, after the National Office publishes a Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) in the Federal Register when funding has been approved by Congress and signed into law by the President.
Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis.
There is a minimum 15% match requirement for 100% grants.

DLT Resources:

Please see DLT Resources for previous award summaries, documents, links, and information.
Webinar Slides: the 2011 DLT Program Application Process (ppt)
DLT Webinar - March 15, 2011

Success Stories:

Please visit our Success Stories page to view examples of how Distance Learning and Telemedicine funding has provided enhanced educational and health care opportunities for rural residents accross America.