[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 9973]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-4949]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Utilities Service


Distance Learning and Telemedicine Loan and Grant Program

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of application filing deadline.

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SUMMARY: The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announces its Distance 
Learning and Telemedicine Program application window for funding during 
fiscal year (FY) 2003. For FY 2003, $27 million in grants and $300 
million in loans will be made available for distance learning and 
telemedicine projects serving rural America. The funding will be 
provided in three categories: (1) $17 million will be available for 
grants; (2) $200 million will be available for loans; and (3) $110 
million will be available for combination grants and loans ($100 
million in loans paired with $10 million in grants, i.e., $100 loan: 
$10 grant ratio).

DATES: Applications for grants must be postmarked no later than May 2, 
2003. Applications for FY 2003 loans or combination loans and grants 
may be submitted at anytime up to July 31, 2003, and will be processed 
on a first-come, first serve basis.

ADDRESSES: Applications are to be submitted to the Rural Utilities 
Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., 
STOP 1550, Washington, DC 20250-1550. Applications should be marked 
``Attention: Director, Advanced Services Division, Telecommunications 
Program.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Marilyn J. Morgan, Branch Chief, 
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Branch, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Rural Utilities Service, STOP 1550, Room 2838, South 
Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-1550. 
Telephone: (202) 720-0413, FAX: (202) 720-1051.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: For FY 2003, $17 million in grants, a 
combination of $10 million in grants paired with $100 million in loans, 
and $200 million in loans will be made available for distance learning 
and telemedicine projects. RUS encourages early submission of grant 
applications to determine whether all required items specified in 7 CFR 
1703.125 are clearly in form, identifiable, and complete. RUS will 
examine, provide comment, and return applications that include items 
that would disqualify them from further consideration for modification 
if they are submitted by April 2, 2003. All applications for grants 
must be postmarked no later than May 2, 2003, to be eligible for FY 
2003 grant funding. Each application will be reviewed for completeness 
in accordance with 7 CFR part 1703, subparts D, E, F, and G. Ineligible 
applications will be returned within 15 working days of receipt.
    Notice is hereby given that under 7 CFR 1703.124, 1703.133, and 
1703.143, RUS has determined the maximum amount of an application for a 
grant that will be considered for funding in FY 2003 as $500,000. The 
maximum amount for a loan, generally, that will be considered for 
funding in FY 2003 is $10 million. However, RUS may fund a project 
greater than $10 million subject to the project's feasibility and the 
availability of loan funds.
    Applications for financial assistance must be submitted in 
accordance with 7 CFR part 1703, subparts D, E, F, and G, which 
establish the policies and procedures for submitting an application for 
financial assistance. These subparts and an application guide to assist 
in the preparation of applications are available on the Internet at the 
following address: http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm. 
Application guides may also be requested from RUS by contacting the 
Distance Learning and Telemedicine Branch, USDA-RUS, Phone: (202) 720-
0413.

    Dated: February 25, 2003.
Hilda Gay Legg,
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service.
[FR Doc. 03-4949 Filed 2-28-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P