USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program
USDA Rural Utilities Service
$50K–$1,000,000
Rural broadband equipment for learning and health
Competitive grants for rural organizations to acquire telecom equipment — video conferencing, networking, cybersecurity tools, AV systems — used to deliver distance learning or telemedicine services to rural end-users. Applicants must serve populations of 20,000 or fewer that are not contiguous to a city over 50,000.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $50,000 – $1,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Most awards fall in the $200K–$600K range based on prior fiscal year distributions.
- Deadline
- Annual cycle — FY2026 NOFO published May 7, 2026 (Federal Register Vol. 91 No. 88); application window typically 60–90 days post-publication
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Must serve rural end-users in areas with population ≤20,000 that are not contiguous to an urbanized area >50,000
- Eligible entity types: incorporated organizations, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, state or local government units, consortia, private for-profit or nonprofit corporations
- Equipment vendors, manufacturers, and system integrators whose primary purpose is to sell equipment CANNOT be the applicant
- Must demonstrate that end-users are in eligible rural areas (rurality verified by 2020 Census data)
- Minimum rurality score of 20 points required (sites must average at least Exceptionally Rural or Rural tier)
- One application per applicant per fiscal year
Hard requirements
- Must be incorporated
- Rural location required
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Telecommunications equipment: video conferencing systems, networking hardware, switches, routers
- Licensed software directly tied to DLT delivery (e.g., video conferencing software, cybersecurity tools)
- Audio-visual equipment used for distance learning or telemedicine
- Patient monitoring equipment (for telemedicine applicants)
- VR headsets for instructional programming (capital asset only)
- Extended warranties and maintenance contracts (up to 3 years)
- Technical assistance costs (up to 10% of grant amount)
- Broadband facilities construction or improvement (up to 20% of grant amount)
Ineligible expenses
- Electronic Medical Record (EMR) or Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems
- Salaries, wages, or personnel costs
- Furniture or general office equipment
- Vehicles
- Operational or recurring costs (including ongoing broadband connection fees)
- Site preparation, land purchase, or building acquisition
- Equipment for use outside of eligible rural areas
How to apply
-
1
Confirm SAM.gov registration is active
Log into SAM.gov and verify your entity registration is current and active. Renewal takes 1–3 business days if not expired; new registration can take 10 business days.
~2 hrs
-
2
Identify and document all rural end-user sites
List every site where DLT services will be delivered. Look up each site's 2020 Census population. Calculate rurality score (Exceptionally Rural ≤5,000 = 40 pts; Rural 5,001–10,000 = 30 pts; Mid-Rural 10,001–20,000 = 20 pts). Average must be ≥20 pts.
~6 hrs
-
3
Prepare equipment list and cost quotations
Itemize all equipment to be purchased (hardware, licensed software, AV, networking, cybersecurity, patient monitoring). Obtain vendor quotations. Ineligible items: EMR systems, furniture, vehicles, general office equipment, salaries, broadband connection fees.
~8 hrs
-
4
Assemble matching funds documentation
Minimum 15% match of the requested grant amount is required. Match can be cash or in-kind. Prepare letters of commitment from match sources and document the basis for in-kind valuations.
~4 hrs
-
5
Complete application forms and need/benefits narrative
Fill out RD Form 1940-20 (Request for Environmental Information), SF-424 series, and the D-4 Need/Benefits narrative (up to 30 scoring points, highly subjective — this is where most applications are won or lost). Describe specific populations served, health/education outcomes enabled, and why equipment is necessary.
~20 hrs
-
6
Submit via Grants.gov before deadline
Upload all forms and attachments to Grants.gov. Submit at least 48 hours before deadline to allow for system processing. Retain Grants.gov submission confirmation number.
~3 hrs
D-4 Need/Benefits (30 pts) is subjective and where most awards are actually decided. Quantify patient encounters enabled, students reached, or miles saved for rural residents.
Deadline & timing
FY2026 NOFO published May 7, 2026. Applications are submitted via Grants.gov. The application guide and forms are available at rd.usda.gov. SAM.gov registration must be current (allow 2–4 weeks if expired). One application per applicant per fiscal year limit applies.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.