Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants

Authorized by 7 U.S.C. 950aaa, the DLT Program provides financial assistance to enable and improve distance learning and telemedicine services in rural areas. DLT grant funds support the use of telecommunications-enabled information, audio and video equipment, and related advanced technologies by students, teachers, medical professionals, and rural residents. These grants are intended to increase rural access to education, training, and health care resources that are otherwise unavailable or limited in scope. The regulation for the DLT Program can be found at 7 CFR part 1734. All applicants should carefully review and prepare their applications according to instructions in the FY 2026 DLT Grant Program Application Guide (Application Guide) and program resources. This Application Guide will be made available here and on the program website at https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants. Expenses incurred in developing applications will be at the applicant’s own risk.

Program Details

Rural Utilities Service is a federal agency that offers the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants grant program to support equipment purchase and health and wellness programs. This funding opportunity is available nationally and is administered by Rural Utilities Service through Grants.gov. Organizations seeking funding for equipment purchase and health and wellness programs should review the details below and confirm their eligibility before preparing an application.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include government agencies and municipalities, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit businesses. Organizations that meet the eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply and to review the full program guidelines before submission. Because eligibility rules and funding priorities can change between cycles, applicants should always confirm the current requirements with Rural Utilities Service or on Grants.gov before investing time in an application.

Funding and Timeline

Funding available: $50K – $750K. Applications are due by June 30, 2026. Applicants should allow sufficient time to gather required documentation, including organizational information, project descriptions, budgets, and supporting materials as specified in the program guidelines. Submitting a complete application well ahead of the deadline reduces the risk of disqualification on technical or administrative grounds.

Program Focus

This grant supports equipment purchase and health and wellness programs. This grant is associated with NAICS industry classifications: 517. Organizations operating in these sectors are encouraged to review eligibility. Funded projects are expected to demonstrate measurable outcomes aligned with the program's stated objectives. Grant recipients may be required to submit progress reports and final evaluations as a condition of the award, and to retain records for audit and compliance purposes.

How to Apply

Eligible organizations can apply through Grants.gov. Create a free organization profile on GrantRegister to see whether this grant matches your organization's NAICS code, entity type, location, and focus area, and to receive a weekly digest of every open grant you qualify for.

GrantRegister maintains a complete, authoritative registry of US federal, state, and foundation grant opportunities — matched automatically to your organization profile and delivered every Monday.

Eligibility

• Programs related to telecommunications

Award details

Award range: $50K – $750K. Applications close on June 30, 2026.

Categories

Equipment Purchase · Health