Deadline: 15 May 2019

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), United StatesDepartment of Agriculture (USDA), is seeking applications for its Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program.

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program helps rural communities use the unique capabilities of telecommunications to connect to each other and to the world, overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density. For example, this program can link teachers and medical service providers in one area to students and patients in another.

Focus Areas

Applications submitted under this announcement should address how they will strengthen local capacity to address one or more of the  For both programs,following focus areas:

• Prevention—for example, educating community members and care providers or implementing harm reduction strategies to reduce the number of fatal opioid-related overdoses and the occurrence of opioid use disorder among new and at-risk users.
• Treatment—for example, implementing or expanding access to evidence-based practices for opioid use disorder treatment, such as medication-assisted treatment.
• Recovery—for example, expanding peer recovery and treatment options that help people with opioid use disorder start recovery and avoid relapse.

Funding Information

• Estimated Total Program Funding: $25,000,000
• Award Ceiling: $500,000
• Award Floor: $50,000

Funding Criteria

Grant funds may be used for:

• Acquisition of eligible capital assets, such as:
  • Broadband transmission facilities
  • Audio, video and interactive video equipment
  • Terminal and data terminal equipment
  • Computer hardware, network components and software
  • Inside wiring and similar infrastructure that further DLT services
• Acquisition of instructional programming that is a capital asset
• Acquisition of technical assistance and instruction for using eligible equipment

Eligibility Criteria

For both programs, eligible applicants include most entities that provide education or health care through telecommunications, including:

• Most State and local governmental entities
• Federally-recognized Tribes
• Non-profits
• For-profit businesses
• Consortia of eligible entities

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted via given website.

For more information, please visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=312924