Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants for Fiscal Year 2025
Published Date: 1/6/2025
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service is opening up about $40 million in grants for 2025 to help rural schools and medical centers get better internet and telemedicine tools. If you want to apply, you need to submit your application online by March 6, 2024. This early notice gives everyone plenty of time to prepare and get ready to boost learning and healthcare in rural areas.
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 5 costs, 2 mixed.
About $40M in Rural DLT Grants
The Rural Utilities Service estimates approximately $40 million will be available for Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants for FY2025. These competitive grants are intended to help rural schools, medical centers, and similar entities get telecommunications equipment and related technologies to expand distance learning and telemedicine.
20% Set-Aside for Substance Use Projects
The Agency must set aside 20 percent of the total available FY2025 DLT funds for projects that reduce morbidity and mortality from substance use disorder (including opioid misuse) in rural communities by strengthening prevention, treatment, or recovery. Applicants proposing to address substance use disorder are eligible for special consideration within that set-aside.
15% Matching Requirement
Grant applicants must provide matching contributions equal to at least 15 percent of the grant amount requested, in cash or eligible in-kind (new or non-depreciated) items, and must document the match. Applications that do not provide sufficient documentation of the required 15 percent match will be deemed ineligible.
Vendor Match and Vendor-Written Application Limits
Vendor-donated matches that effectively require a subsequent purchase of that vendor's equipment are not permitted. Also, applications written by vendors named in the application are ineligible, and named vendors are prohibited from bidding on the project because of conflict-of-interest rules.
Eligibility and Ineligibility Rules
Eligible applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM registration and comply with financial certifications; corporations with a federal felony conviction in the past 24 months or certain unpaid federal tax liabilities are ineligible. Projects located in areas covered by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act are not eligible, and hub sites in non-rural areas are generally ineligible unless necessary to serve rural end users.
Scoring, Special Consideration, and Selection Rules
Applications are competitively scored: Rurality up to 40 points, Economic Need up to 30 points, Service Needs and Benefits up to 30 points, and Special Consideration up to 10 points for items like serving the most distressed communities, high Social Vulnerability Index areas, Tribal Lands, or projects by federally recognized Tribes. RUS selects awards based on rank order but may adjust selections due to funding limits and may approve no more than one application per applicant.
Reporting, Audit, and Compliance Rules
Successful grantees must execute a Grant Agreement, provide annual performance activity reports (the first annual report is due no later than January 31 of the year after funds are first advanced), submit a final report within 120 days after grant expiration or final disbursement, and comply with audit requirements under 2 CFR part 200 (or 7 CFR part 1773 for other entities). Recipients must also follow procurement, nondiscrimination, Build America, Buy America, geospatial data, and other federal compliance rules.
Up to $5M CARES Funds Option
For this application window, applicants may, but are not required to, compete for an estimated $5 million in residual CARES Act funds for telemedicine and distance learning related to coronavirus response. Applicants are encouraged to identify ways their project addresses COVID-19 if they want to be considered for these CARES funds.
Video Conferencing License Funding Limits
The cost of video conferencing platform licenses can be paid with grant funds only if the license is integral to delivering DLT services, does not exceed 10 percent of the grant amount, is new (not a renewal), will be used predominantly (50% or more) for the project, the number of licenses does not exceed the number of end-user devices requested, and funding for licenses is limited to three years from the date funds are made available.
Application Deadline, Submission Method, and Assistance
All applications must be submitted electronically via www.grants.gov and received no later than March 6, 2024; late or incomplete applications will not be eligible. Applicants may request technical assistance from the Agency prior to February 21, 2024, and Grants.gov registration/credentials can take several business days.
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