Veterans Legacy Grants Program

The Veterans Legacy Grants Program (VLGP), administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration (NCA), is designed to support projects that educate the public and students about the lives and legacies of Veterans interred in national, state, territorial, or Tribal Veterans cemeteries. The initiative reflects a broader national commitment to honoring Veterans’ service and sacrifices, aligned with federal priorities including Executive Order 14296, which emphasizes the importance of preserving Veterans' stories. Through this program, the NCA aims to foster deep community engagement and historical research, particularly among students and educators, by funding high-quality educational and commemorative activities. The primary purpose of VLGP is to fund eligible entities to conduct primary research on Veterans and Service members buried in VA-managed or supported cemeteries. Funded projects are expected to yield a range of educational deliverables, such as grade-appropriate lesson plans, biographies for the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM), and digital or physical outreach materials, including cemetery walking tours. The focus is on producing original, accessible historical content that expands the public’s understanding of individual Veterans, especially those with strong connections to local communities. Projects are encouraged to be interdisciplinary and must include at least one cemetery site visit, emphasizing experiential learning and community integration. VLGP awards up to $400,000 per recipient, with a total of $2.2 million in available funding for FY 2026. The program expects to issue between six and nine awards, with typical project budgets ranging from $250,000 to $400,000. There is no cost-sharing or matching funds requirement, although leveraging additional resources is encouraged to enhance project sustainability. However, organizations that received VLGP awards in FY 2023, 2024, and 2025 are ineligible for the current cycle to allow a broader range of participants to benefit from the opportunity. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher learning, educational institutions, local educational agencies, nonprofit entities recognized under section 501(c)(3), and other entities deemed appropriate by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on March 27, 2026. Applicants must first complete registrations on both SAM.gov and Grants.gov, processes that may take several weeks. The application package must include required federal forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B, SF-LLL), a project narrative, budget narrative, key personnel CVs, and indirect cost rate documentation, if applicable. Optional pre-application virtual workshops will be held in January and February 2026 to support interested applicants. The evaluation process involves four steps: an initial eligibility review, a merit-based assessment using a 43-point scale across five technical criteria (educational materials, Veterans Legacy Memorial contributions, outreach, team qualifications, and budget), a selection process based on score rankings and strategic priorities, and a risk review per federal grant standards. Notification of awards will occur approximately 90 days after the deadline. Funded projects must begin by September 1, 2026, and all awards will be made within the FY 2026 period (October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026), with a 12-month performance period. Reporting requirements include quarterly program and financial reports using the SF-PPR and SF-425 forms, as well as final cumulative reports within 120 days after the performance period ends. Funded organizations must comply with all applicable federal grant regulations, including 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and specific VLGP regulations (38 C.F.R. 38.710–38.785). The main point of contact for the program is John Williams, Senior Grants Management Specialist, who can be reached at [email protected] for further questions.

Adhere strictly to formatting and file upload instructions; avoid late or over-limit submissions; ensure cemetery visit and student-led research are included.