New Federal Grant Programs to Support Telehealth Investments

There are new opportunities to apply for funding to support broadband investments, devices, computer hardware, and more to help health care providers care for patients in their homes. The FCC application, which is a continuation of last year’s program, will open on April 29 and close on May 6, according to a statement from the FCC. Under this program, which has a pool of $250 million, approved providers will need to shoulder the expenses first, and then submit invoices for reimbursement.

The USDA program focuses on rural communities, with higher scores for counties with high rates of poverty; these USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants application is currently open, with final applications due June 4, 2021. The USDA program has approximately $44.5 million is available, for eligible applicants that include both for-profit and non-profit organizations, tribal organizations, state and local governments, and consortiums, who must contribute at least 15% to the proposed project. Requests for technical assistance will be responded to before May 21, 2021.

Review the summary fact sheet and the full funding announcement.