USDA announces $44 million in rural broadband connectivity grant opportunities for FY 2026

Key Takeaways

On May 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced available grant funding under the Community Connect Grant Program for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. Earlier this month, USDA also released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Distance Learning and Telemedicine (DLT) Grant Program for FY 2026. In total, $44 million is available in financial assistance between these two programs.  

Together, both programs provide opportunities to help rural communities expand broadband access, strengthen telehealth services and improve educational opportunities across rural America. Eligible applicants for grant funding include counties, internet service providers and other eligible entities.  

What do these broadband programs do?

Community Connect Grant Program: Offering $17 million in grants, this program helps fund broadband deployment in the least connected rural communities where a minimum service threshold of 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload is unavailable. Grants support the construction, acquisition or leasing of broadband facilities and equipment needed to provide high-speed internet access to residents, businesses and community institutions.

Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program (DLT): With $27 million available in funding, this program supports efforts to connect rural residents to education and healthcare services in rural communities with 20,000 or fewer residents. Funding can be used for audio and video equipment essential to enable telemedicine and remote learning capabilities, broadband facilities used for distance learning and telemedicine, relevant computer hardware and network components, and more.

Why these programs matter to rural counties

Counties are on the front lines of broadband deployment and expansion to address connectivity gaps across the nation’s rural communities. For rural counties, broadband plays a transformative role in helping communities stay connected and competitive because reliable internet access is no longer optional – it is essential infrastructure.

However, many rural counties still face challenges such as sparse populations, difficult terrain and high infrastructure costs that discourage private investment. Federal grant programs are available to help close that gap and make service expansion financially feasible for rural counties. Access to high-speed internet allows counties to attract businesses, retain residents, modernize county services, support agricultural production, stimulate local economies and strengthen community connections.

For many rural counties, these grants are also a way to build resilience. Broadband and telehealth capacity can play a critical role during natural disasters, public health emergencies or other disruptions when in-person services may be limited.

How can rural counties access funding?

The FY 2026 funding opportunities are now open through USDA Rural Utilities Service. Full notices, eligibility requirements and application materials are available through Grants.gov and USDA Rural Development program webpages.

Learn more about the Community Connect Grant Program

Learn more about the Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program (DLT)

Counties interested in applying should begin by:

• Reviewing eligibility requirements and service area criteria
• Identifying priority community needs such as broadband gaps or healthcare access
• Building partnerships with providers, schools, hospitals and regional stakeholders
• Gathering mapping, demographic and financial data to strengthen applications
• Preparing application materials early to meet deadlines

Deadlines:  

• Community Connect Grant Program: Applications are being accepted through https://www.rd.usda.gov/community-connect until June 29, 2026
• Distance Learning & Telemedicine Grant Program (DLT): Applications must be submitted through http://www.grants.gov by June 30, 2026 to be eligible for funding under this grant opportunity