Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants (10.855)

 

Program

10.855 Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loans and Grants

 

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Agriculture
Office: Rural Development

 

Authorization

Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996, Title VII, Public Law 104-127, 7 U.S.C 950.

 

Program Number

10.855

 

Last Known Status

Active

 

Objectives

To encourage and improve the use of telemedicine, telecommunications, computer networks, and related advanced technologies to provide educational and medical benefits through distance learning and telemedicine projects to people living in rural areas and to improve rural opportunities.

 

Types of Assistance

DIRECT LOANS; PROJECT GRANTS

 

Uses and Use Restrictions

Telecommunications, computer networks and related advanced technologies that provide educational and/or medical benefits to students, teachers, medical professionals and rural residents. Eligible costs depend on the type of financial assistance being requested; i.e., grant or loan. See 7 CFR Part 1703 for details.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

To be eligible to receive a grant, loan and grant combination, or loan, the applicant must be legally organized as an incorporated organization or partnership, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, a state or local unit of government, a consortium, or other legal entity. The applicant must have legal capacity to contract with RUS. The applicant also must propose to utilize the financing to: (i) operate a rural community facility; or (ii) deliver distance learning or telemedicine services to entities that operate a rural community facility or to residents of rural areas at rates calculated to ensure that the benefit of the financial assistance is passed through to such entities or to residents of rural areas. The applicant must not be delinquent on any Federal debt. RUS electric and telecommunications borrowers are not eligible for grants. Generally, applicants are organizations such as schools, libraries, hospitals, medical centers, or other eligible organizations that will be users of a telecommunications, computer network, or related advanced technology system to provide educational and/or medical benefits to rural residents.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The people living in rural areas and to improve rural opportunities, particularly in the areas of education, training and medical services.

Credentials/Documentation

See 7 CFR Part 1703 for details. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Submit application Form 424; non-delinquent on any Federal obligations; consultation with USDA State Director (for grant applicants); evidence of legal existence and authority to perform the proposed grant activities; a comprehensive rural telecommunications plan; scope of work plan, executive summary for the project: financial information; a statement of experience; funding commitment from other sources; compliance with Federal statutes and regulations (compliance with scoring criteria) and environmental impact; supplemental information and required additional RUS information.

Award Procedure

Based on a determination that the loan is economically feasible and serves the purposes of the Rural Electrification Act, loans are approved. For grants, RUS rates the applicants based on specified scoring criteria and determines awards based on those ratings.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Applications are approved each fiscal year for which funding is made available. Applications that have not been approved may be resubmitted each year for consideration.

Appeals

A grant applicant may appeal the numerical scoring to the Administrator in writing within 10 days after applicant is notified of the scoring level.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 15.%. No matching is required for applicants requesting loans.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Funds may be advanced monthly or as needed to reimburse disbursements for approved grant purposes. Applicants generally have three years to spend funds. One extensions may be granted. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Funds may be advanced monthly or as needed to reimburse disbursements for approved grant purposes.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Program reports are not applicable. Cash reports are not applicable. Progress reports are not applicable. SF 269, "Financial Status Report," is required annually. Project performance activity reports are required annually.

Audits

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-133. For a grant recipient, an audit report is required for the years in which funds are received. For a loan recipient, an audit report is required annually until all RUS loans have been repaid.

Records

Grantee will provide evidence that funds are expended for approved purposes.

 

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: During Fiscal Year 2008, 110 applicants received grants or loan/grant combinations. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

12-1232-0-1-452.

Obligations

(Direct Loans) FY 08 $13,092,850; FY 09 est $16,265,779; FY 10 est $0 - Estimates are not available at this time for FY 2010. It is anticipated that there will be funding in FY 2010. (Project Grants) FY 08 $30,148,963; FY 09 est $34,966,000; FY 10 est $30,255,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

The minimum grant, loan, or loan/grant combination is $50,000. The maximum varies and is not to exceed the amount established by the RUS Administrator.

 

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

7 CFR 1703, subparts D through G. Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program Grant Application Guide - For grants - Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program -Grant Application Guide - Fiscal Year 2009.

 

Related Programs

Not Applicable.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

None.

Headquarters Office

Telecommunications Program Department of Agriculture
Rural Utilities Service
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., STOP 1590, Washington, District of Columbia 20250 Phone: (202) 720-9554

Web Site Address

http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm.

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: Depending on the type of financial assistance: interactive rural education networks, remote health care unit linkups, computer terminals that are required for a distance learning or telemedicine system, video and audio equipment, site development and alteration of buildings, telecommunications transmission facilities, and other telemedicine or distance learning projects. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

See 7 CFR Part 1703, subparts D through G.