Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces (Equine Therapy Grants)

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events Office (NVSPSE), has released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program, specifically focused on Equine Therapy Grants. This funding initiative is designed to support qualifying organizations in planning, developing, managing, and implementing equine therapy programs that provide adaptive sports, training, and related opportunities for Veterans and members of the Armed Forces with disabilities. The primary intent is to improve the independence, well-being, and quality of life for these individuals by expanding access to therapeutic equine activities. The VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program’s Equine Therapy Grants are authorized under 38 U.S.C. § 521A and are implemented through regulations outlined in 38 C.F.R. § 77. The program makes available up to $5,000,000 in total, subject to the availability of federal funds. The maximum amount for a single grant award for the 12-month period is $750,000. Funding is provided solely as grants and is intended to support new, renewal, or noncompetitive applications that address mental health needs through equine therapy. Grantees may use up to 5% of the award for administrative expenses, and funds may not be used for research activities, medical services, or construction. However, purchasing equipment that improves accessibility for participants is allowable within defined parameters. Eligible applicants are non-federal entities with significant experience in managing large-scale adaptive sports programs for persons with disabilities, particularly disabilities similar to those experienced by Veterans and Armed Forces members. Key personnel must have at least two years of continuous, relevant experience prior to submission. Entities must also be registered in SAM.gov and not be subject to federal exclusions, delinquent debt, or debarment. The grant does not require matching funds or cost sharing. Applications must clearly demonstrate the ability to deliver programs to at least 50 people with disabilities or serve participants across at least five congressional districts. Applicants working with partners must provide formal documentation outlining the roles and qualifications of each partner. The submission process requires applicants to submit their packages through Grants.gov. The package must include a completed VA Form 10096, a narrative document, detailed budget information, an SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance), and a VA-FSC Vendor File Request Form (VA Form 10091). If applicable, letters of partnership and support should also be included. Applications must specify the proposed deliverables, including locations, frequency, number of veterans to be served, and budget estimates. There are strict formatting and completeness requirements for all documents, and applications that do not meet these criteria may be rejected during the administrative review. Key dates for this grant cycle include a submission deadline of July 2, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be announced by September 30, 2025, with the 12-month grant period running from September 30, 2025, to September 30, 2026. All technical questions regarding the NOFO must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the deadline and will be answered via the agency’s website. Amendments to submitted applications are allowed prior to the deadline but cannot change the scope or increase the requested amount by more than 10%. The evaluation of applications follows a multi-phase review, beginning with an administrative screening for completeness and eligibility, followed by merit and programmatic reviews. Merit review assesses past performance (for renewals), program objectives, cost reasonableness, management capability, partnerships, and financial plans. Applications scoring below the threshold or missing key criteria will not be considered for funding. Final selections will be made based on alignment with funding priorities, program goals, and the geographic and demographic needs of veterans with disabilities. Contact information for the grant program is as follows: Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420. Inquiries can be directed to grants4vets@va.gov. More resources, including required forms and FAQs, are available at https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/grant-program/. It is advised that applicants read the complete NOFO before submitting questions or applications and comply strictly with all instructions for a successful submission and review process:contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.

All applications must be complete, submitted via Grants.gov, and meet all document and format requirements. Administrative costs limited to 5 percent. Partnerships must be fully documented. Utilize VA resources and FAQ for guidance.