To encourage and improve the use of telemedicine,
telecommunications, computer networks, and related advanced technologies to
provide educational and medical benefits through distance learning and
telemedicine projects to people living in rural areas and to improve rural
opportunities.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
Direct Loans. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Telecommunications, computer networks and related advanced technologies that
provide educational and/or medical benefits to students, teachers, medical
professionals and rural residents. Grants are limited up to 70 percent of the
eligible costs of a project. Cost of money loans may be provided up to 100
percent of the eligible costs. Eligible costs depend on the type of financial
assistance being requested; i.e., grant or loan. See 7 CFR Part 1703 for
details.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant Eligibility: Organizations such as
schools, libraries, hospitals, medical centers, or other eligible
organizations that will be users of a telecommunications, computer network, or
related advanced technology system to provide educational and/or medical
benefits to rural residents. The applicant must not be delinquent on any
Federal debt.
Beneficiary Eligibility: The people living in
rural areas and to improve rural opportunities, particularly in the areas of
education, training and medical services.
Pre-application Coordination: Pre-application form,
OMB Standard Form 424, RUS will assist in the preparation of the form. This
program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental
Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or
official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for
more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying
for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. This program
is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110 (7 CFR 3015). This
program is not subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-102.
Application Procedure: Submit application Form
424; non-delinquent on any Federal obligations; consultation with USDA State
Director; evidence of legal existence and authority to perform the proposed
grant activities; a comprehensive rural telecommunications plan; scope of work
plan, executive summary for the project: financial information; a statement of
experience; funding commitment from other sources; proposed evaluation
methodology; compliance by Federal statutes and regulations (compliance with
scoring criteria) and environmental impact; depreciation schedule covering all
assets of the project; supplemental information and required additional RUS
information.
Award Procedure: RUS selects projects to be
funded.
Deadlines: Applications for grant funding must be
submitted by March 2, 2001. Applicants will be notified within 15 working days
of the receipt of the application. Loan applications may be submitted anytime
and loans are approved through out the year.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Applications
are approved each fiscal year for which funding is made available.
Applications may be re-submitted each year for consideration.
Appeals: Applicant may appeal the numerical
scoring to the Secretary in writing within 10 days after applicant is notified
of the scoring level.
Renewals: Not applicable.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements: This program has
no formula requirements. Grant funding will be provided up to 70 percent of
the total project. A 30 percent matching contribution will be required from
the applicant. No matching is required for applicants requesting loans.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance: Advanced
monthly or as needed to reimburse disbursements for approved grant purposes.
Applicants generally have three years to spend funds. Extensions may be
granted.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports: SF 269, "Financial Status
Report," and project performance activity report required annually.
Audits: An audit report is required for the years
in which funds are received.
Records: Grantee will provide evidence that funds
are expended for approved purposes.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 12-1232-0-1-452.
Obligations: (Grants) FY 01 $19,257,000; FY 02
est $27,572,007; and FY 03 est $30,000,000. (Loans) FY 01 $6,059,674; FY 02
est $300,000,000; and FY 03 est $300,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: Varies
and not to exceed amount established by RUS Administrator.
During fiscal year 2001, 89 projects received funding.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Proposed, 7 CFR 1703D.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: None.
Headquarters Office: Assistant Administrator,
Telecommunications, Rural Utilities Service, Room 4056, South Building, U.S.
Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC
202500-1500. Telephone: (202) 720-9554. Use the same number for FTS.
Web Site Address: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Interactive rural education networks, remote health care
units linkups, computer terminals video and audio equipment, and other medical
link or distance learning projects.
