- Details
- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Health Care
Rising demand for remote learning and telehealth services in Indian Country has spurred new federal funding for digital infrastructure, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to distribute $40 million through its Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) grant program.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for these services across Indian Country, where reliable connectivity was largely unavailable. Prior Tribal Business News reporting shows that increased demand for remote resources has driven significant progress in tribal broadband initiatives.
The new DLT grant funding aims to help rural and tribal communities build digital infrastructure for education and health care services. The program, which targets communities with 20,000 or fewer residents, is meant to spark up support for what the USDA calls “crucial keys” in building access to the wider digital economy and landscape.
“This competitive program helps rural communities use advanced telecommunications technology to connect to each other — and the world — overcoming the effects of remoteness and low population density,” the USDA writes on the program’s website.
The grants will support purchases of broadcasting equipment, computers, software and technical assistance on setting up and acclimating new users. The funds can also cover some broadband facilities used in remote learning or medicine, such as networking centers or classroom spaces.
Federally recognized tribes, state and local governments, nonprofits and businesses can apply for grants ranging from $50,000 to $1 million. Recipients must provide a 15% funding match.
The $40 million funding target has not received final Congressional approval and is based on last year’s allocation, according to a Federal Register notice.
Applications are due by March 6 at 11:59 p.m. through the grants.gov portal.
