Veterans Legacy Grants Program

The Veterans Legacy Grants Program (VLGP), administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) through its National Cemetery Administration (NCA), supports initiatives that commemorate and educate the public on the service and sacrifices of Veterans interred in national, State, or Tribal Veterans' cemeteries. Authorized under 38 U.S.C. 2400 note, the program's overarching mission is to provide financial support to eligible institutions that will conduct research and create educational tools to share the histories of these Veterans. The goal is to promote a greater public understanding and appreciation of Veteran contributions by developing accessible educational resources and community engagement efforts centered around cemeteries maintained by the VA and its partners. The VLGP operates as a discretionary grant program, meaning the VA has the authority to determine the scope, scale, and selection of awards each cycle. For the fiscal year 2026, the VA anticipates issuing up to 10 grants with a total program funding pool of $2,200,000. Awards will range from a minimum of $50,000 to a maximum of $400,000 per recipient. Funding will support research activities and the production of educational content that fosters engagement with Veteran histories. Acceptable projects include but are not limited to curriculum development, interactive exhibits, documentary films, and online platforms that highlight Veteran experiences in ways accessible to diverse public audiences. Eligible applicants include a range of public and nonprofit educational entities. Specifically, applicants must be either nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education), state governments, independent school districts, or accredited higher education institutions (both public and private). The program does not impose a cost-sharing or matching requirement, making it more accessible to organizations that may have limited financial resources for grant matching. The grant opportunity is currently listed as "Forecasted" with an estimated post date of March 13, 2026. Interested applicants should plan to submit their applications by the anticipated deadline of April 17, 2026. Selected projects will receive awards by June 30, 2026, with the earliest project start date projected as September 1, 2026. As this opportunity is expected to recur annually, the anticipated next cycle would fall in April 2027, with an internal next check date recommended for March 1, 2027. Evaluation criteria and the full application process will be detailed in the official funding announcement once the opportunity is posted. Applicants can expect guidance on application formatting, narrative components, and any supplementary materials required. Although there are no known pre-application deadlines, applicants are advised to closely monitor the official announcement for any updates or clarifications as the open date approaches. For questions or additional information, applicants may contact John Williams, the Senior Grants Management Specialist at the VA's Office of Engagement and Memorial Innovations. He can be reached by email at vlgp@va.gov or by phone at 314-348-4073. Further updates and related documentation will be made available through Grants.gov when the official application package is released.