distance learning & telemedicine grant program

Distance Learning

& Telemedicine Grant Program

Richard E. Jenkins, General Field Representative

Telecommunications Program

Rural Utilities Service

a Rural Development Agency of the

United States Department of Agriculture

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3 Types of DLT Assistance:

1. 100% Grant ($50-500 K)

2. Combination Loan-Grant

3. 100% Loan

At present, there is no DLT appropriation. It is

possible that we will receive funding for Grants.

However, the loan programs have not been funded

in several years, so this presentation will focus

solely on the 100% Grant Program.

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Introduction to DLT Grant Program

The best source of information is the Application

Guide complemented by the Toolkit.

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DLT Grant Program Resources Webpage

www.rurdev.usda.gov/UTP_DLTResources.html

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DLT Grant Program - Eligibility

Several Types:

Applicant Eligibility

Project and Budget Item Eligibility

Application Eligibility

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DLT Grant Program - Applicant Eligibility

1. Deliver or propose to deliver distance learning or telemedicine

services for the term of the grant. The purposes must meet the

grant definition of distance learning and telemedicine. Focus

on sustainability. No planning studies, research projects, or short-

term demonstration projects.

2. Be incorporated or a partnership; a Native American tribal

organization; a state or local unit of government; a consortium; or

other legal entity. For or not-for profit able to contract with the

US Government. No individuals or sole-proprietorships.

3. Operate a rural community facility or deliver DLT 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 passes through to such entities or to residents

of rural areas.

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DLT Grant Program - Project and Budget Eligibility

DLT Grants are not just a way to obtain educational technology or medical equipment. The focus is on using the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect

rural areas to each other and to the world, thus overcoming the effects of remoteness and low

population density.

1. Distance learning means a curriculum with measurable results

delivered via telecommunications and stresses the connection of

students and teachers at remote sites.

2. Telemedicine means the delivery of medicine from medical

professionals at one site to patients at other sites via

telecommunications. Telemedicine shows benefit to rural

residents either in reduced travel or access to services.

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1. Grant and Match purposes are identical - If an item

isn’t eligible for grant, it cannot be credited as a match.

2. Obtain Grant and Match items from 3rd Party - All items must be obtained from an organization other than the

applicant or other entities participating in the applicant’s DLT

project as hubs, hub/end-users, or end-users.

3. Funds Equipment, not Telecommunications - The

Program is focused on providing equipment that operates via

telecommunications. While the equipment is eligible, it does not

fund the telecommunications that connects the equipment.

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Grant and Match can be expended only for the costs

associated with the original capital assets associated with

the project. (i.e. first-time) There are three categories of

eligible purposes:

1. Eligible Equipment

2. Instructional Programming (not tuition or expenses)

3. Technical Assistance & Instruction for Using

Eligible Equipment (limited to 10% of Budget)

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1. Eligible Equipment - This list is not exhaustive and does

not convey automatic eligibility. To be eligible in full, items must

be primarily for DLT eligible purposes with no use for ineligible

purposes. (See Application Guide on Apportioning DLT Project Benefit)

Audio and video equipment

Computer Hardware and Software

Computer network components

Terminal equipment

Data terminal equipment

Interactive audio/video equipment

OEM or OEM authorized warranties on eligible

equipment up to the 3 year life of the grant

Inside wiring

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DLT Grant Program - Project and Budget

Ineligible Purposes

Salaries and Benefits

Administrative Expenses (Overhead)

Telecommunications Transmission Equipment

Recurring Costs incl. Telecommunications

Medical Equipment

Equipment owned by Telecom Provider (LECS,

CLECS, etc.)

Duplication of Facilities

Costs incurred before Application Deadline

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DLT Grant Program - Project and Budget

Ineligible Purposes (continued)

Application Preparation Costs

Communications largely within Facility (Within

Campus) such as EMR (see Combo Program)

Site Development and Building Construction

Purchase of Land or Buildings

Projects in Coastal Barrier Areas

Any purpose not specifically in Regulation or

specifically approved by Administrator

When Project depends on another source of

funding that is not assured.

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A minimum match of 15% of your Grant Request for eligible

purposes is required (zero points). Larger matches yield

scoring points.

• To be credited as an eligible match, the proposed match

must be documented in form and substance satisfactory to the

Agency by each donor.

• Cash Matches are expected, but In-kind are acceptable

provided they are properly documented. In particular, In-

kind Matches must be for precisely the same kinds of eligible

purposes as Grant Funds.

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DLT Grant Program - Other Important Points

Typical Projects:

• Video-conferencing is the most common for

distance learning

• Visiting nurse links from patient homes to health

professionals elsewhere

• Tele-radiology

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Other Projects:

• Tele-dentistry

• Tele-pharmacy

• Virtual ICU

• First time use

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What score do I need to win an award?

Difficult (actually, impossible) to say

• Varies from year to year

• Depends on the number of applicants and the

strength of the competition

• Technologies evolve, so do needs, and so do

perceptions of what is valuable

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We urge you to read the Application Guide

carefully and follow its instructions. Each year,

we adjust and amplify the Guide based on

experience gained the previous year. A

presentation such as this can only touch on the

extensive instruction and information contained

in the Guide.

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Use the Guide - Trust yourselves

Each year applicants request copies of applications that

were successful in prior years. This is not a winning

strategy. We strive to create a Guide that will allow a

first-time applicant to prepare a successful application

without assistance. Remember that you are the subject

matter expert for your project and situation. No one

can do a better job of preparing a compelling

application that is specific to you and your project than

you, the local people who will use the project.

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Contact Information

The DLT staff is available to answer questions by

phone, fax, and e-mail.

202-720-0413

fax: 202-720-1051

[email protected]

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Richard E. Jenkins USDA/RUS Telecommunications Program

3272 Jefferson Street, North

Lewisburg, WV 24901

304.645.1947

304.445.5369

[email protected]

distance learning & telemedicine grant program

Health & Medicine

dlt grant program

rural community facility

rural areas

budget eligibility 1

eligible purposes

important points

eligible equipment

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