What
resources are available for assistance
in preparation of an application?
The Distance Learning & Telemedicine
(DLT) website (www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm)
is the first stop for information on current
funding opportunities, past awards demonstrating
the types of projects we have funded,
and other information.
At that website, you will be able to
download the current Application Guides,
your best compreshensive source of information
on program requirements and guidance on
preparing an application for funding.
The DLT Program produces a Grant Application
Guide and Loan and Combination
Loan/Grant Application Guide annually.
Our intent in producing these guides is
to present, amplify, and explain the regulatory
requirements in a manner that provides
even the most inexperienced applicant
the resources it neeeds to prepare a high
quality application. Among other things,
it includes eligibility requirements,
descriptive narratives, forms, and worksheets.
Utilities Services General Field Representatives
are located throughout the nation. They
and our Washington DC staffers are available
to answer questions and provide guidance
to applicants. Contact information can
be found at:
www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/staff/index_staff.htm
USDA State Directors
for Rural Development are also available
to answer questions and provide information
about the DLT Program as well as the many
other Programs offered by USDA's Rural
Development. Contact information for the
State Offices can be found at:
www.rurdev.usda.gov/recd_map.html
b. What characteristics
make up a successful Distance Learning
or Telemedicine Grant Project?
(Along the same lines, we are frequently
asked if there are "buzzwords"
that help and some prospective applicants
seek to obtain copies of a previous successful
grant application to use as a pattern.)
There is no single key to preparing a
successful application. The best advice
we can give is to carefully follow the
instructions and guidance contained in
the Application Guide.
With regard to scoring, grant applications
are scored in eight categories. Four are
objective (based on publicly verifiable
information) and four are subjective (based
on the case made by the applicant in its
narrative response to that subjective
scoring category).
How an applicant scores in the objective
categories is obvious. The more eligible
matching funds your project has, the better
it will score. However, some objective
scoring categories, such as the one that
measures how rural or poor your area is,
are not under your control. Follow the
Application Guide to make certain
that you provide the correct data for
these categories.
We can offer more guidance about the
subjective categories. Again, we note
that the best guidance is found in the
Application Guide. Second, there
are no buzzwords. Third, the best applications
spring from the mind of the applicant
and the special and unique knowledge that
the applicant has about his or her area
and what it is they want to accomplish.
It is our experience that the common motivation
for obtaining a copy of a previously successful
DLT application is so that it can be used
as a template. We do not believe that
this is a productive approach to crafting
a successful DLT application. While it
might seem useful to see another's responses
in the subjective scoring categories,
the best scores in those categories are
awarded for responses specific to that
applicant's project. Good applications
do not spring from a template. As noted
above, we endeavor to make the Application
Guide a complete source of information
on how to prepare a successful application
and have designed it for the first-time
applicant with no previous experience
applying for grants. As an applicant,
remember that no one knows your project
and special circumstances as well as you.
As a consequence, no one can do a better
job of crafting an application than you.
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