The federal government is soliciting grant applications until March 24 for expanding access to education, training and healthcare resources in rural areas.

The Rural Development agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering grants through its Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program subject to congressional appropriations.

Last year, the agency provided $28.2 million in grants under the program to 105 recipients in 41 states, including a $450,477 grant to the University of Hawai'i to establish a distance learning telemedicine network in rural areas of the Big Island and Moloka'i.

Information including an application guide and program details can be obtained at http://www.usda.gov/rus/telecom/dlt/dlt.htm or by calling 202-720-0413. Information about the program also was published in the Federal Register Dec. 24 on page 79041.