LEWISTON — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for grants to provide access to education, training and health care resources in rural areas. Funding is authorized through the Department’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program.

Under this notice, USDA may provide up to $17.5 million in grants. Funds can be used to buy equipment and provide technical assistance. To be eligible, applicants must serve a rural area, demonstrate economic need and provide at least 15 percent in matching funds. Awards range up to $500,000.

In 2012, USDA Rural Development provided 58 DLT grants for projects in 36 states. Since the program began, 1,400 projects have been funded.

For example, in 2011, Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice, Inc. received a grant of $146,903 to connect Knox, Lincoln, and Waldo counties and several island communities with telemedicine technology.

Completed applications must be received by Aug. 12. For details, see the notice published on page 38915 of the June 28, 2013 Federal Register: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-06-28/html/2013-15597.htm.