USDA Grants to Support Distance Learning and Telemedicine

The United States Department of Agriculture is awarding grants ranging from $50,000 to $1 million to institutions supporting distance learning and telemedicine in rural communities. The deadline for this competitive grant program is June 4.

The USDA Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program (DLT) is designed to serve communities of 20,000 residents or fewer. In addition, the agency is encouraging applicants "to consider projects that will promote equity and economic opportunity in rural America, specifically those that advance the following key priorities:

  • Containing the COVID-19 pandemic;

  • Ensuring racial equity;

  • Rebuilding our rural economy; and

  • Addressing the climate crisis."

Funds are to be used for broadband, networking hardware, computers/devices, AV equipment, software, instructional programming and support related to installing and procuring the tools to support distance learning and telemedicine. A 15 percent match is required.

Eligible organizations include most state and local governmental entities, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofits, for-profit businesses and consortia of eligible entities. A PDF fact sheet can be found here. Further details can be found at rd.usda.gov.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • illustration of a human head with a glowing neural network in the brain, connected to tech icons on a cool blue-gray background

    Meta Launches Stand-Alone AI App

    Meta Platforms has introduced a stand-alone artificial intelligence app built on its proprietary Llama 4 model, intensifying the competitive race in generative AI alongside OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI.

  • illustration of an open textbook, computer monitor with flowchart, gears, a wrench, and AI cloud symbol

    Wiley Introduces New AI Courseware Tools

    Wiley has created four new tools for its zyBooks courseware platform designed to improve instruction, learning outcomes, and academic integrity in college STEM courses.

  • laptop displaying a phishing email icon inside a browser window on the screen

    Phishing Campaign Targets ED Grant Portal

    Threat researchers at cybersecurity company BforeAI have identified a phishing campaign spoofing the U.S. Department of Education's G5 grant management portal.

  • cloud, database stack, computer screen, binary code, and flowcharts interconnected by lines and arrows

    Salesforce to Acquire Data Management Firm Informatica

    Salesforce has announced plans to acquire data management company Informatica for $8 billion. The deal is aimed at strengthening Salesforce's AI foundation and expanding its enterprise data capabilities.