WASHINGTON, March 1, 2024 –USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Dr. Basil Gooden today announced that USDA is inviting applications for grants to help people in rural communities access remote education and health care.
USDA is making approximately $60 million nationwide in funding available under the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program. This program funds distance learning and telemedicine services, like audio and video equipment, to digitally connect people to education, training and health care resources that are limited or unavailable in remote parts of the country.
For example, DLT funding expands opportunities for:
• Students to participate in classes that may be in places that are too far to access in person.
- Teachers to provide their expertise, trainings, and educational services to students across the country.
- Patients to seek specialized care and treatment from medical professionals without needing to leave their home of communities.
Eligible applicants include state and local governmental entities, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofits and for-profit businesses.
Maximiliano J. Trujillo-Ortega, USDA Rural Development State Director for Puerto Rico indicated that the last approved DLT Grants in Puerto Rico where in FY 2020.
For example, Migrant Health Western Region, Inc. received a DLT grant in the amount of $869,565 to deliver, in addition to primary care, medication assisted treatment and behavioral health services for substance use disorder (SUD) patients. Migrant Health provided telemedicine sessions 19,372 times to 500 patients in Mayaguez, Cabo Rojo, Lajas, Guánica, Yauco, Maricao, San Sebastian, Las Marias and Isabela.
Another award of $998,076 was given to the Puerto Rico Science, Technology, and Research Trust. Their project established telemedicine networks at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and private clinics throughout 18 municipalities. The project improved access to clinical service and consisted of board-certified physicians delivering services to approximately 33,000 patients, with service specialists including endocrinology, dermatology, pneumology, and neurology, among others.
Trujillo-Ortega invited interested party to apply now to the DLT Program.
USDA is particularly interested in applications that will advance Biden-Harris Administration priorities to:
- Reduce climate pollution and increase resilience to the impacts of climate change through economic support to rural communities. •
- Ensure all rural residents have equitable access to Rural Development (RD) programs and benefit from RD-funded projects.
- Help rural communities recover economically through more and better market opportunities and through improved infrastructure.
Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov no later than April 29, 2024. Additional program information is available online and via the Feb. 29, 2024, Federal Register
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