SUMMARY: Provides funding to help rural schools and communities expand access to education and healthcare by funding technology and infrastructure that supports remote learning and virtual services.
Funding is available for the following allowable activities:
- Purchase of eligible equipment (e.g., videoconferencing units, servers, network components)
- Acquisition of instructional programming (including educational software or digital content)
- Cybersecurity tools and services that protect distance learning and telemedicine networks
- Technical assistance and training for teachers, staff, and end users
- Broadband transmission facilities leasing (if essential to the project)
- Installation and set-up of eligible equipment
Approximately $40 million was available in total funding for FY2025, with award amounts ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. A minimum 15% cost match is typically required.
DEADLINE: Anticipated March 2026
ELIGIBILITY: Eligible applicants include agencies that provide education or healthcare services in rural areas, such as school districts, institutions of higher education (IHEs), libraries, healthcare providers, a consortium of these organizations, or state/local government agencies.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/telecommunications-programs/distance-learning-telemedicine-grants