Distance learning grants offered

As I come acrossed articles or information that may be of interest to others seeking their education online, I will post them here.

Feel free to offer up your own bits of information and finds in the comments section or email me the information to have it posted.

On to the good stuff:

Distance learning grants offered

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has announced the application window for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program.

The program is specifically designed to provide access to education, training and health care resources for residents in rural America. Grants will be awarded competitively and the application deadline is Feb. 1.

Under the Bush administration, Colorado has received five Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants totaling over $1.8 million. "The DLT program is an excellent example of critical information technology services reaching rural Coloradans. The most successful applicants are those who apply by building partnerships and demonstrate how the funding enhances rural health care or educational needs," said Gigi Dennis, state director, USDA Rural Development.

Eligible applicants include rural schools, colleges, universities, non-profit hospitals, libraries, health care clinics, Indian tribes or tribal organizations, consortiums or partnerships, other incorporated organizations and related organizations which operate rural educational or health care facilities. Additionally, applicants must be in unincorporated rural areas, cities, and/or towns with populations of less than 10,000.

Funds can be used for initial capital and hardware costs to enhance telecommunication capabilities for either public education or medical purposes. Applicants must also demonstrate a matching contribution, in cash or in kind. Matching contributions must be at least 15 percent of the total amount of funding requested. The maximum grant amount available for Fiscal Year 2005 will be $500,000, and the minimum grant amount will be $50,000. The funding notice is being issued prior to the passage of the final appropriations bill to allow applicants sufficient time to submit proposals. An announcement of funding levels will be published once an appropriations bill providing funding for DLT Grants has been enacted.

Completed applications should be mailed to USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Ave., SW., Room 2845, STOP 1550, Washington, D.C., 20250-1550. Additional application guides and materials regarding the DLT Program are available on the USDA Rural Development Web site at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm or call Teri Nilson Baird, general field representative at 303-646-5856, teri.baird@usda.gov . USDA Rural Development programs increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life of rural residents.


Fort Morgan Times - Local