USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grant for Rural Communities

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The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density.  This program can link teachers and medical service providers in one area to students and patients in another.  To learn more about recently funded DLT projects, Rural Development has developed a map of recently funded DLT projects at:   https://ruraldevelopment.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=15a73830555645ae93d2fa773ed8e971

Funds may be used to acquire capital assets such as broadband facilities, equipment, hardware, software, internal infrastructure, instructional programming, and technical assistance for using all that was acquired.  To learn more, follow this link to the grant opportunity:

https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=331151

USAC Extends Application Deadline for Rural Telecom and Broadband Assistance Programs

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USAC (Universal Service Administrative Co.) offers two different funding options for rural healthcare providers to increase connectivity with their patients. The Telecommunications Program (Telecom) provides reduced rates to rural health care providers for telecommunication and voice services for the use of telemedicine and telehealth. The Healthcare Connect Fund Program (HCF) provices a 65% discount on eligible broadband connectivity expenses (services and equipment) for rural health care providers (individual providers or consortiums). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s deadline for application has been extended to June 1, 2021.