$162 Million Available for Distance Learning & Telemedicine

The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Rural Utilities Service has released the application guide for the 1999 Distance Learning & Telemedicine (DLT) Program. The DLT program provides financial assistance for schools, libraries, and rural medical services to acquire equipment and telecommunications facilities for optimal service delivery.

Three types of applications and awards are included in the DLT program: grants, loans, and a combination of loans and grants. In FY 1999, the USDA will award $7.5 million in grants, $100 million in loans, and $55 million in combination grants and loans.

More money is available for the FY 1999 DLT program than has been awarded through all six previous funding cycles combined. Since its inception in 1993, USDA has funded 252 projects in 43 states and two US territories, totaling $62.5 million in grants and $3 million in loans.

Due dates, instructions, match requirements, selection criteria and submission information differ for the three types of awards.

Applications for grants must be postmarked by July 9, 1999. DLT grant funds may be used to cover 70 percent of total eligible project costs. Grants may be used to: acquire (lease or purchase) eligible equipment and instructional programming; provide technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment; develop instructional programming; and, conduct engineering and environmental studies related to other grant activities. Grants may not be used for several costs and types of projects, including salaries of educational, medical or administrative personnel. A complete list is provided in the application guide.

Projects requesting loans or a combination of loans and grants will be addressed on a first-come, first-served basis with no deadline other than if the proposer wishes to be considered in the current fiscal year. If funding is sought for the current fiscal year, applications should be submitted by August 31, 1999. There are no match requirements for projects awarded loans or a combination of loans and grants. Uses of DLT funds for loan and combination loan and grant are generally broader than those under the 100 percent grants, but still do not cover salaries, benefits or wages, or a few other items spelled out in the application guide.

The USDA Rural Utilities Service advises applicants that the DLT regulation (7 CFR Part 1703 amended May 12, 1999) must be used in conjunction with the DLT application guide. Both can be downloaded from the following webpage: http://www.usda.gov/rus/dlt/dltregs.htm