FOA-VETS-26-01 Announcement.pdf

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL)

Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS)

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS AND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

ANNOUNCEMENT (FOA) FOR: Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP), Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP), and the Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Grant Program (HWVHVWC) (referred to collectively as HVRP)

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Initial

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY NUMBER: FOA-VETS-26-01

ASSISTANCE LISTING NUMBER: 17.805

Submit all applications in response to this solicitation through Grants.gov.

FUNDING DETAIL:

Expected Total Available Funding $23,000,000 Expected Number of Awards 61

Funding Range Per Award $150,000 – $500,000 annually.

Up to $1,500,000 for the three-year period of performance.

Awards made under this Announcement are subject to the availability of federal funds. Annual funding increments will be provided in years two and three of the period of performance, subject to the availability of federal funding, annual submission of required documents, the recipient’s rate of expenditure, and satisfactory progress toward project goals. Final congressional appropriations action has not yet been taken. We are accepting applications to allow enough time to complete the grant award process, should Congress appropriate funds for this program. If additional funds become available, we reserve the right to use such funds to select additional grant recipients from successful applications submitted in response to this Announcement.

DOL/VETS may increase or decrease award amounts to successful applicants to maximize the use of available funding. DOL/VETS may increase or decrease the budget period within the period of performance, depending on the availability of funds, under this FOA.

KEY DATES:

Application Deadline March 6, 2026. Applications must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.

Expected Period of Performance Start Date July 1, 2026

Period of Performance Length 36 months with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026, and an end date of June 30, 2029.

http://www.grants.gov/

Prospective Applicant Webinar

Join us for a Prospective Applicant Webinar on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time and again on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

While attendance is recommended, it is not required. Both sessions will share the same information. During the webinar, you will learn about the HVRP program and the PY26 FOA.

We will share important details regarding who can apply, how to apply, what documents you need to complete, deadlines, and whom to contact for more information. You will also have the chance to ask questions. After the webinars, DOL/VETS will release a detailed Question and Answer (Q&A) document that addresses the questions asked. Additionally, you can watch a recording of the webinar and read the Q&A on the Prospective HVRP Applicant Resources – National Veterans’ Technical Assistance Center website. Click the link below to register for the respective session:

• Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET

• Wednesday, February 25, 2026, 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. ET

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Employment and Training Administration (ETA) is responsible for the grant award process of this Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) funding opportunity announcement.

https://nvtac.org/prospective-hvrp-foa-applicants/ https://nvtac.org/prospective-hvrp-foa-applicants/ https://nvtac.org/prospective-hvrp-foa-applicants/ https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/157b7b8b-aead-4a18-8810-d366910e7dab@e1f1c337-2599-4753-95d8-4853fb4b179c/registration https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/6e8a749a-425e-479d-b965-a92afe91e01f@e1f1c337-2599-4753-95d8-4853fb4b179c/registration

Table of Contents

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants B. Application Categories Based on Population Served C. Service Delivery Areas (SDA) D. Period of Performance E. Cost Sharing

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose B. Program Goals and Objectives C. Expected Performance Outcomes D. Funding Type E. Eligible Participants F. Program Authority G. Definitions H. Funding Restrictions, Policies, and Limitations I. Required Partnerships

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORMAT

A. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance B. Project Budget, Composed of the SF-424A and Budget Narrative C. Project Narrative D. Attachments to the Project Narrative

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

A. How to Obtain an Application Package B. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management C. Submission Instructions D. Intergovernmental Review E. Other Submission Requirements

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Responsiveness Review B. Review Criteria C. Review and Selection Process

D. Risk Review

VII. AWARD NOTICES

A. Award Document B. Award Timing and Notification to Applicants

VIII. POST AWARD REQUIREMENTS AND ADMINISTRATION

A. Administrative and National Policy Requirements B. Reporting

IX. RESOURCES

X. OMB INFORMATION COLLECTION

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The U.S. Department of Labor, Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS), announces the availability of grant funds authorized under Title 38 United States Code (U.S.C.)

Sections 2021, 2021A, and 2023 for the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program (HVRP).

HVRP is an employment-focused, competitive federal grant program intended to enable veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness reach their full employment potential and obtain high-quality career outcomes. HVRP is aligned with the priorities set forth by the President’s Executive Orders to deliver comprehensive employment services to eligible veterans to assist these veterans in transitioning from homelessness to stable employment and to connect them with high-paying, skilled job opportunities that will shape the workforce of the future.

Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this funding opportunity. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization’s religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization.

For further information or technical questions about this FOA, please send an email to HVRPFOA@dol.gov and specifically reference FOA-VETS-26-01. This Announcement is available at Grants.gov.

II. AWARD INFORMATION

A. Eligible Applicants

Eligible Organizations

DOL/VETS defines an organization by the Employer Identification Number (EIN) that must match the legal name in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) and the legal name on the application’s SF-424. The EIN is the organization identifier of record. The Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) is not the organization identifier of record.

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• State governments

• County governments https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-orders/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-orders/ mailto:HVRPFOA@dol.gov https://www.grants.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/home

• City or township governments

• Special district governments

• Public and State-controlled institutions of higher education

• Native American tribal governments (federally recognized)

• Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities

• Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)

• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

• Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education

• Private institutions of higher education

• For-profit organizations other than small businesses

• Small businesses

• U.S. Territories or Possessions

• Native American Tribally Designated Organizations

• State and Local Workforce Development Boards (SWDB/LWDB) established under the

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

• Faith-based organizations

• Other State and Local Government Agencies

Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this funding opportunity. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization’s religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization.

Among eligible applicants listed above, the applicant agency or organization must also maintain a physical location in the proposed Service Delivery Area (SDA). Please see Section IV.C.1 for more information about the physical location.

Any organization whose federal grant was terminated, as described in 2 C.F.R. § 200.340, before the expiration of the period of performance (PoP) established by that grant’s FOA will be ineligible to apply for any HVRP FOA for a three-year period (e.g. FOA-VETS-26-01, FOA- VETS-27-01, and/or FOA-VETS 28-01) following the termination date, unless the termination was due to unanticipated circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the grant recipient (e.g., natural disaster). A termination is defined as an action initiated by either the grant recipient or the awarding federal agency that terminated the grant prior to the conclusion of the PoP.

B. Application Categories Based on Population Served

DOL/VETS funds three types of competitive grant categories. The categories are listed below:

1. Category 1: HVRP includes applicants who propose to serve veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Under this category, applicants may serve populations eligible under all three categories.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/subject-group-ECFR86b76dde0e1e9dc/section-200.340

2. Category 2: The Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Reintegration Program (HWVHVWC) is specifically for homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children. HWVHVWC includes applicants that want to use 100 percent of their grant funding to serve homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children, which is defined in 38 U.S.C. § 101(4).

3. Category 3: Incarcerated Veterans’ Transition Program (IVTP) focuses on veterans who are involved in the justice system or are moving on from certain institutions. IVTP includes applicants that want to use 100 percent of their grant funding to serve the following populations:

a. Veterans described in 38 U.S.C. § 2023(d) who are transitioning from certain institutions or any other veterans who are transitioning from being incarcerated, meaning they are scheduled to be released from incarceration or an institution within 18 months (at the time of enrollment in HVRP).

b. Veterans recently released (within the last 18 months from the date of HVRP enrollment) from incarceration who are at risk of homelessness.

These programs are collectively referred to as HVRP, and this announcement applies to all of them.

DOL/VETS intends to make at least one Category 2 grant award and at least one Category 3 grant award, if we receive competitive applications in those categories.

Applicants must identify in the Abstract (tab 1 in Attachment A) whether the Grant Type is Category 1 (HVRP), Category 2 (HWVHVWC), or Category 3 (IVTP). The application will be reviewed under Category 1 (HVRP) if you do not explicitly identify a category. No additional changes or discussions of this population category will occur during or after the competition. See Section IV.C.1.a Statement of Need for additional information.

See Section III.E Eligible Participants for additional information.

C. Service Delivery Areas (SDA)

1. Saturation Level Affecting Services

DOL/VETS is committed to developing an appropriate distribution of HVRP funds to serve the most veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Thus, DOL/VETS will consider the saturation levels of grant recipients versus the homeless veteran population in each geographical area to ensure services are within saturation limits.

DOL/VETS has an SDA Saturation Map of every Continuum of Care (CoC) that HVRP grant recipients serve. The saturation level is calculated by dividing the total number of HVRP planned enrollments in the CoC by the most recent HUD PIT Count for the number of veterans experiencing homelessness. CoCs with saturation levels of 100 percent or more indicate that current HVRP grant recipients are already planning to enroll more participants than the estimated number of veterans experiencing homelessness for the CoC. Applicants should be aware that requesting an oversaturated SDA may result in your grant failing to meet the enrollment goals you create in the PY26 Planned Goals Chart (tab 4 in Attachment A).

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DOL/VETS will look at the applicant’s proposed SDA’s saturation levels and planned enrollments served by an active grant in the same CoC. Applicants proposing to serve a CoC with a saturation level of 120 percent or more must justify the existence of unmet demand in the Abstract (tab 3 in Attachment A). Failure to provide justification for a saturation level of 120 percent or more for the CoCs where at least 50 percent of Planned Enrollments are allocated will result in scoring zero points for the Expected Outcomes and Outputs criteria. Saturation levels are available in the Abstract (tab 2 in Attachment A) “Planned Enrollments by CoC – Current Saturation Level” column or in the HVRP FOA SDA Saturation Map.

In rare metropolitan geographic locations, the SDA may be undersaturated and may allow for multiple applications providing services in different parts of the SDA (e.g., the Eastside and San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, or Queens and the Lower East Side of New York City).

Regardless of the category type, if DOL/VETS receives multiple applications from the same organization (having the same EIN) with the same SDA proposed in your Abstract (Attachment A), that organization must explain how the same SDA justifies multiple applications in the Abstract (tab 3 in Attachment A). If there is no justification in the Abstract (Attachment A), the application will be considered duplicate; therefore, only that organization’s most recently received application that meets the submission deadline will be considered.

If you are a current HVRP grant recipient and your PoP ends on June 30, 2027, or June 30, 2028, the application’s proposed SDA must not include more than 25 percent of the counties in your current grant’s SDA; if it exceeds this limit, the application will be disqualified. For example:

• Current grant’s SDA has four (4) counties (Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, and Delta)

• Application’s SDA proposes to serve three (3) counties (Charlie, Delta, and Echo)

• The application’s SDA contains 50 percent of counties in the current grant’s SDA: two

(2) duplicate counties in application’s SDA / four (4) total counties in the current grant’s SDA = 50 percent

The following counties/CoCs are exempt from the 25 percent SDA calculation for a current grant: Los Angeles County, CA (CA-600); King County, WA (WA-500); and San Diego County, CA (CA-601).

If the application’s proposed SDA counties overlap at less than 25 percent of your current grant’s SDA, the applicant must justify the need for an additional grant in the Abstract (tab 3 in Attachment A). Applicants must justify that the proposed service areas will not duplicate existing services. Failure to provide justification for SDA counties that overlap at more than zero percent and less than 25 percent of your current grant’s SDA will result in scoring zero points for the Expected Outcomes and Outputs criteria.

2. Number of Applications Applicants May Submit

Organizations may submit multiple applications; however, each application must be for a different SDA, except for those applications that are providing services in different locations of the same SDA. Regardless of the category type, if DOL/VETS receives multiple applications from the same organization, DOL/VETS will not award more than $1,000,000 annually per organization for FOA-VETS-26-01, consistent with Executive Order 14332, Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking, which directs agencies to award grants to a broad range of https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/hud-regional-teams/ https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/hud-regional-teams/ https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/hud-regional-teams/ https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/hud-regional-teams/ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/12/2025-15344/improving-oversight-of-federal-grantmaking https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/12/2025-15344/improving-oversight-of-federal-grantmaking recipients rather than to a select group of “repeat players.” VETS may award more than this amount if additional funds become available.

D. Period of Performance

The performance period on the front page of this FOA includes all necessary implementation and start-up activities.

E. Cost Sharing

This program does not require cost sharing. Including such funds is not one of the application screening criteria, and applications that include any form of cost sharing will not receive special consideration during the review process. Instead, the agency considers any resources contributed to the project beyond the funds provided by the agency as leveraged resources.

For a complete understanding of this application requirement, see the 2025 Application Guide, Section II.B Cost Sharing.

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Purpose

This announcement solicits applications for HVRP, IVTP, and HWVHVWC (referred to collectively as HVRP) and aligns with the federal grantmaking guidance in Executive Order 14332, Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking.

Each year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), conducts a physical count of the number of veterans, both sheltered and unsheltered, experiencing homelessness on a single night. This count is referred to as the Point in Time (PIT) Count. According to the 2024 HUD Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR), on one night in January 2024, 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness. This number is an eight percent decrease from the January 2023 PIT Count.

To help address the number of veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, DOL/VETS requires HVRP grant recipients to provide services tailored to each veteran’s needs using a case management approach. Grant recipients must help connect veterans to supportive services available in their local communities. In addition, grant recipients must also help veterans successfully return to work by providing job training services that support their needs.

This can be done by providing direct help or by creating a strong referral system that includes tools, resources, and partnerships that identify, find, prepare, and support veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness so they can reach their full employment potential.

DOL/VETS encourages applicants to serve eligible veterans in rural areas that will improve access to essential resources, foster community engagement, and overcome employment barriers to secure employment in stable, high-demand occupations.

The HVRP website, the Prospective HVRP Applicant Resources website, the 2025 HVRP Program Guide, and Veterans’ Program Letter (VPL) 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions provide useful information about program requirements.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/resources https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/12/2025-15344/improving-oversight-of-federal-grantmaking https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/12/2025-15344/improving-oversight-of-federal-grantmaking https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2024-AHAR-Part-1.pdf https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2024-AHAR-Part-1.pdf https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp https://nvtac.org/prospective-hvrp-foa-applicants/ https://nvtac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-NVTAC-HVRP-Program-Guide.pdf https://nvtac.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-NVTAC-HVRP-Program-Guide.pdf https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/HVRP-VPL-06-24-Requirements-Functions-20240923.pdf

B. Program Goals and Objectives

1. Deliver career exploration opportunities, placement, and supportive services to veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, empowering them to secure employment in stable, high-demand occupations paying wages consistent with the relevant market.

2. Establish strong partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit organizations to assist veterans in overcoming barriers to employment.

3. Provide job-driven training targeted at in-demand occupations to enable veterans to become employable or seek a higher employment grade.

HVRP grant recipients accomplish these goals through a variety of core services, such as outreach, intake, assessment, case management, job-driven training, placement, follow-up, and collaboration.

C. Expected Performance Outcomes

The expected performance outcomes are described in the VETS-704 Form – Planned Goals Chart (tab 4 in Attachment A), which is a required application component published with this

FOA.

D. Funding Type

Funding will be provided in the form of a Grant. Throughout this FOA, all references to grants are applicable to cooperative agreements.

E. Eligible Participants

HVRP provides services to veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

According to 38 U.S.C. § 2021, veterans served by this program include the following categories:

a. Homeless veterans, including:

1. Veterans who were homeless but found housing during the 60-day period preceding the date of HVRP enrollment; and

2. Veterans who, at the time of enrollment in HVRP, are at risk of homelessness within the next 60 days.

b. Veterans participating in a HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program for which rental assistance is provided pursuant to section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. § 1437f(o)(19)) or the Tribal HUD-VA Supportive Housing (Tribal HUD-VASH) program;

c. Veterans who are receiving assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. § 4101 et seq.);

d. Veterans described in 38 U.S.C. § 2023(d) or any other veterans who are transitioning from being incarcerated; and

e. Veterans participating in the VA rapid rehousing and/or prevention program authorized in 38 U.S.C. § 2044.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp/about/services https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2022-title38/USCODE-2022-title38-partII-chap20-subchapIII-sec2021 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-2015-title42-section1437f&num=0&edition=2015 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-1999-title25-section4101&num=0&edition=1999 https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title38-section2023&num=0&saved=%7CKHRpdGxlOjM4IHNlY3Rpb246MjAyMSBlZGl0aW9uOnByZWxpbSk%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?hl=false&edition=prelim&path=%2Fprelim%40title38%2Fpart2%2Fchapter20%2Fsubchapter5&req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title38-section2044&num=0&saved=L3ByZWxpbUB0aXRsZTM4L3BhcnQyL2NoYXB0ZXIyMC9zdWJjaGFwdGVyNQ%3D%3D%7CZ3JhbnVsZWlkOlVTQy1wcmVsaW0tdGl0bGUzOC1jaGFwdGVyMjAtc3ViY2hhcHRlcjU%3D%7C%7C%7C0%7Cfalse%7Cprelim

Annual appropriation acts may authorize HVRP grant recipients to serve other veteran populations at risk of homelessness. As of this publication, Congress has authorized HVRP grant recipients to serve the following population:

• Veterans recently released from incarceration who are at risk of homelessness.

Please refer to VPL 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions, or the most current guidance on this topic, for more information on eligibility definitions.

F. Program Authority

The following statutes authorize this program:

Title 38 U.S.C. Sections 2021, 2021A, and 2023 and the Public Law under which Program Year (PY) 2026 funding is appropriated for this program.

G. Definitions

HVRP Glossary of TermsH. Funding Restrictions, Policies, and Limitations All proposed project costs must be necessary and reasonable and in accordance with federal guidelines.

For a complete understanding of this application requirement, see the 2025 Application Guide, Section III.H Funding Restrictions, Policies, and Limitations.

Evaluation and Data-Related Costs

Labor and other costs related to data and evaluation are allowable, as defined in 2 C.F.R.

§ 200.455. Data and evaluation activities may include staff participating in interviews, focus groups, and surveys; staff working to execute data sharing agreements; staff preparing datasets required for an evaluation; staff participating in evaluation meetings; and other costs related to DOL’s evaluations and data-related activities.

Salary and Bonus Limitations

None of the funds appropriated under the heading “Veterans’ Employment and Training Service” in the appropriation statute(s) may be used by a recipient or subrecipient of such funds to pay the salary and bonuses of an individual, either as direct costs or indirect costs, at a rate in excess of Executive Level II. The Executive Level II salary may change yearly and is located on the OPM.gov website. This limitation does not apply to contractors (vendors) providing goods and services as defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.331. Where states are recipients of such funds, states may establish a lower limit for salaries and bonuses paid by subrecipients. To establish these limits, states may consider the relative cost of living in the state, the salary levels for comparable state or local government employees, and the size of the organizations that administer federal programs involved, including VETS programs. See Section I.B and the Program Authority found in Training and Employment Guidance Letter (TEGL) 10-24: Salary and Bonus Limitation Imposed by Appropriations Language for additional information.

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/HVRP-VPL-06-24-Requirements-Functions-20240923.pdf https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/hvrp/glossary-of-terms https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/resources https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/ https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/tegl-10-24 https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/advisories/tegl-10-24

I. Required Partnerships

HVRP grant recipients are required to develop partnerships with federal, state, or local programs such as your SDA’s HUD CoC(s) and American Job Center(s) (AJC). Additionally, grant recipients must partner with public, private, and nonprofit organizations and assist participants in overcoming barriers to employment.

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORMAT

Applications submitted in response to this FOA must consist of four separate and distinct parts:

1. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance;

2. Project Budget, composed of the SF-424A and Budget Narrative;

3. Project Narrative; and

4. Attachments to the Project Narrative (PY26 VETS-704 Form – Abstract and Planned Goals Chart (all tabs in Attachment A) and PY26 Chart of Past Performance (Attachment C)).

You must make sure that the funding amount requested is consistent across all parts and sub-parts of the application. You must submit your application in one package. Documents received separately will be tracked separately and will not be attached to your application for review.

Failure to provide the same annual funding amounts in the separate and distinct parts of your FOA application will impact the scoring in the Project Budget section.

A. SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance

You must complete the SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance (available at https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family). The SF-424 form must be completed and submitted in Grants.gov as part of the application package. The amount requested on the SF-424 must reflect the federal request for the first year of grant operation only and must not be below $150,000 or exceed $500,000. Applicants must not include funding for the three-year period on the SF-424, Part 18a.

For a complete understanding of this application requirement, see the 2025 Application Guide, Section IV.A SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance.

B. Project Budget, Composed of the SF-424A and Budget Narrative

You must complete the SF-424A Budget Information Form (available at https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family). The SF-424A form must be completed and submitted in Grants.gov as part of the application package. The totals in Sections A, B, and D must match. In preparing the Budget Information Form, you must provide a concise narrative explanation to support the budget request, explained in detail below.

Applicants must list the same requested federal grant amount for one year of funding on the SF- 424, SF-424A, Abstract (Attachment A), and Budget Narrative. Failure to provide the same annual funding amounts in the separate and distinct parts of your FOA application will impact scoring in the Project Budget section.

https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/hud-regional-teams/ https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/AmericanJobCenters/american-job-centers.aspx https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.grants.gov/ https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/grants/resources https://www.grants.gov/forms/forms-repository/sf-424-family https://www.grants.gov/

1. Budget Narrative (Up to 13 Points)

The Budget Narrative must outline a one-year budget that must not be below $150,000 or exceed $500,000 in total costs, including all direct and indirect expenses. All costs must be allocable to the proposed project supporting an identified population and SDA. The Budget Narrative must also justify the costs for each line item shown on the SF-424A form and must match the estimated funding amount in the SF-424 (Section 18a).

Applicants must use whole dollar amounts. For assistance, please refer to the sample Budget Narrative Template (Attachment B) and supplemental microlearning videos on the Prospective HVRP Applicant Resources – National Veterans’ Technical Assistance Center website. This recommended Excel template has sections where you can enter information for each object class category.

Applicants must show that their proposed costs are allowable (2 C.F.R. § 200.403). Costs must be necessary and reasonable for carrying out the HVRP grant. You should follow the cost principles guidelines in 2 C.F.R. Part 200, Subpart E. A cost is considered “necessary” if it helps achieve a program goal and is necessary and reasonable for the performance of the HVRP grant.

A cost is “reasonable” if it meets the “prudent person” standard (2 C.F.R. § 200.404). Shared costs among multiple programs or projects must be proportionate. For example, if a Program Manager spends 20 percent of their time on HVRP, then only 20 percent of the Program Manager’s cell phone service, monthly parking expenses, or laptop purchase would be charged to HVRP, with the rest being split among the other programs that pay the Program Manager’s salary.

If you include indirect costs in Section J, make sure you do not list those same costs again in any direct cost categories. You must categorize costs as either indirect or direct, but not both.

Failure to provide the same amounts for one year of funding in these separate and distinct parts of your FOA application will impact scoring in the Project Budget section. The Budget Narrative must be consistent with and support the activities, resources, staff, and other items described in the Project Narrative. If minor inconsistencies are found between the budget amounts specified on the SF-424, SF-424A, and the Budget Narrative, DOL/VETS will consider the Abstract (Attachment A) the official funding amount requested. However, if the amount specified on the SF-424 would render the application nonresponsive, the Grant Officer will use their discretion to determine whether the intended funding request (and cost sharing, if applicable) is within the responsive range.

Applicants must submit, as an attachment, the information requested in Word, PDF, or Excel format. A template for applicants is available at Budget Narrative Template (Attachment B). The naming convention for the attachment must be “Attachment-B-Budget-Narrative.”

Each category should include the total cost for the first year of the PoP. Use the following guidance for preparing the Budget Narrative.

Personnel

In accordance with the 2 C.F.R. § 200.404 definition of “reasonable,” DOL/VETS clarifies a “Personnel Position” as a position generally held by one individual whose salary and fringe benefits are charged to the grant. List all staff personnel positions by title (both current and proposed) and include the roles and responsibilities as they pertain to the award. List each https://nvtac.org/wp-content/manual/2025/09/HVRP_Budget_Narrative_Template.xlsm https://nvtac.org/wp-content/manual/2025/09/HVRP_Budget_Narrative_Template.xlsm https://nvtac.org/prospective-hvrp-foa-applicants/ https://nvtac.org/prospective-hvrp-foa-applicants/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.403 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-E/subject-group-ECFRea20080eff2ea53/section-200.404 https://nvtac.org/wp-content/manual/2025/09/HVRP_Budget_Narrative_Template.xlsm full-time equivalent (FTE) position separately and provide the annual salary, the percentage of time devoted to the project, and the amount of each position’s salary funded by the grant. Grant recipients that charge a staff personnel position among multiple HVRP grants cannot exceed 100 percent FTE collectively among potential or active grants entering PY26 to include non-HVRP grants such as VA grants. Staff cannot be shared between two HVRP grant organizations. Do not list staff positions that will be covered under Indirect Costs. Do not list staff positions that will be covered under a contract the grant would award. Please see the VETS Glossary of Terms for the definitions of “Personnel.”

Fringe Benefits

Fringe benefits are for the staff personnel positions listed in the Personnel budget category and only for the percentage of time devoted to the project. Do not include fringe benefits for contracted grant staff. Provide information on the rate of all fringe benefits used and the basis for the calculation. If not using a fringe benefits rate, itemize how the fringe benefits amount is computed. Fringe benefits may be in the form of employer contributions or expenses for FICA (Social Security and Medicare tax), employee life, health, unemployment, and/or worker’s compensation insurance, paid absences, and other similar reasonable and allowable benefits as required by law, an organization–employee agreement, or established written policies of the applicant/recipient organization per 2 C.F.R. § 200.431.

Travel

This section is for grant recipient staff personnel listed in the Personnel budget category and only for the percentage of time devoted to the project. Do not include travel for contracted grant staff.

Travel for participants (e.g., travel stipends for program participants) should be specifically itemized and placed in the Other category. DOL/VETS will no longer support in-person state or regional DOL/VETS-sponsored conferences, so do not include travel costs for those events. The DOL/VETS National Post Award Conference is virtual, so do not include travel costs for that event either. For all other conferences and events, local travel and in-state overnight or out-of-state trips should be identified differently. Cost allocations for local travel should specify the purpose, the number of staff traveling, and the estimated total mileage the staff anticipates traveling during the program year. For local travel, it is not necessary to specify the exact locations of each trip, as it will be fluid based on participants, employers, and outreach opportunities. Mileage reimbursements must not exceed the federal reimbursement rate on the GSA privately owned vehicle mileage reimbursement rate webpage. Out-of-state or in-state overnight travel requires specific start and end destinations so DOL/VETS can determine whether the per diem and/or lodging costs are reasonable. This travel could also include allowable expenses to cover travel to events such as professional conferences and/or any other offered training. Identify the name and location of the conference that staff will attend. Staff should not claim full-day per-diem rates for the first and last day of travel. Lodging and per-diem expenditures must not exceed the rates established by GSA for the location of your trip. Find your per diem and lodging rates on the GSA per diem rate webpage. Grant recipients must justify travel expenditures that exceed 10 percent of the one-year budget.

Equipment

Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.1, “equipment” means tangible personal property (including information technology systems) having a useful life of more than one year and a per-unit acquisition cost https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-a-trip/transportation-airfare-rates-pov-rates-etc/privately-owned-vehicle-pov-mileage-reimbursement https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates that equals or exceeds the lesser of the capitalization level established by the recipient or subrecipient for financial statement purposes or $10,000. Items with a unit cost of less than $10,000 are supplies, not “equipment.” DOL/VETS does not allow the purchase of motor vehicles, buildings, or land. Applicants must list the item, quantity, and unit cost per item and describe the need for the equipment, i.e., explain how the use of each item of equipment is related to the implementation of the required/approved activities to achieve the specific project objectives. List expendable items or materials in Supplies. DOL/VETS does not permit the purchase of equipment during the last funded year of the award.

Supplies

Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.1, “supplies” means all tangible personal property other than those described in the equipment definition. A computing device (e.g., laptop) is a supply if the acquisition cost is below the lesser of the capitalization level established by the recipient (or subrecipient for financial statement purposes) or $10,000, regardless of the length of its useful life. Applicants must list the items by type of supply (e.g., training materials, desktop computer, laptop, projector, etc.), cost per unit, quantity, or cost per month if rented or leased. Software subscription services, such as cellular phone service or internet service, and advertising costs are not tangible and must be listed in Other. Cost allocations for supplies that are not broken down by individual item in the narrative must document the methodology used in determining the amount allocated for this line item, per 2 C.F.R. § 200.405(d). Supplies for participants must be placed in the “Other” line item.

Contractual

Contracts and subawards must be described separately. The term “contract” is defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1 and means, for the purpose of federal financial assistance, a legal instrument by which a recipient or subrecipient conducts procurement transactions under a federal award.

“Contractor” means an entity that receives a contract. “Subaward” means an award provided by a pass-through entity to a subrecipient for the subrecipient to contribute to the goals and objectives of the project by carrying out part of the federal award received by the pass-through entity. It does not include payments to a contractor or payments to an individual that is a beneficiary of a federal program. A subaward may be provided through any form of legal agreement, including an agreement that the pass-through entity considers a contract. For each contract or subaward, list the purpose, goods and/or services to be provided, amount, and percent charged to HVRP. Be sure to describe the goods and/or services to be provided by each contractor or sub-awardee and how the goods and/or services relate to the accomplishment of specific project objectives. Phone and copier contracts, agreements, or leases must not be included in this section. All procurement transactions for the acquisition of goods and/or services required under an award must be conducted in a manner providing full and open competition consistent with the federal procurement standards in 2 C.F.R. § 200.319 (Competition) and 2 C.F.R. § 200.320 (Procurement Methods). Applicants must follow their documented procurement procedures that reflect applicable state, local, and tribal laws and regulations. These procedures must also conform to applicable federal laws, regulations, and the standards identified in 2 C.F.R. §

200.318 (General Procurement Standards). Applicants must maintain oversight to ensure that contractors and sub-awardees perform in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications of their legal agreement. For additional guidance, refer to 2 C.F.R. §§ 200.318–

200.327 on Procurement Standards and 2 C.F.R. § 200.332 on Subrecipient Monitoring and Management.

Construction

Construction costs are not allowed, and this line must be left as zero. Minor alterations to adjust an existing space for grant activities (such as a classroom alteration that does not involve construction costs) may be allowable. DOL/VETS does not consider this as construction.

Applicants must include the costs for minor alterations in the Contractual budget line item.

Other

Costs listed under Other are those not covered under the other SF424A line-item categories.

Provide clear and specific details, including cost methodology, for each item so that DOL/VETS can determine whether the costs are necessary, reasonable, and allocable.

Professional liability insurance, also referred to as errors and omissions insurance, is unallowable in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.447(b)(5).

Listed below are common HVRP costs belonging under this category:

Participant Support Costs

Per 2 C.F.R. § 200.1, participant support costs mean direct costs that support participants and their involvement in a federal award, such as stipends, subsistence allowances, travel allowances, registration fees, temporary dependent care, and per diem paid directly to or on behalf of participants. Participant support costs are allowed only when incurred to enable the eligible veteran’s participation in HVRP services and must be tied to a specific HVRP service. They are not meant to cover all the participants’ needs. Typically, needs are identified during the intake and assessment process and included in the employment plan. A participant support payment is given to, or on behalf of, eligible participants to provide temporary assistance that supports the individual’s employment plan. A Participant Support Cost must be reasonable and necessary to help the participant engage in services and activities related to the employment plan. Grant recipients should make every effort to leverage alternative sources (i.e., federal, state, or local programs) to fund participant support costs before using HVRP funds for this purpose. For specific guidance on Participant Support Costs, please see VPL 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions or the most current guidance on this topic. List participant support costs (e.g., training, clothing, work-related materials, etc.) and provide clear and specific details, including costs and quantity, for each item so that DOL/VETS can review factors affecting the allowability of costs as cited in 2 C.F.R. § 200.403. You may also list the support cost per month, if applicable. Note:

identify the percentage of the cost that will be charged to the grant.

Participant Wages

HVRP grant funds may be used to pay participant wages. Examples of wage subsidies include On-the-Job Training (OJT), training and education costs for Registered Apprentices enrolled in Registered Apprenticeship programs, and/or transitional jobs (TJ) strategies. The participant must be involved in job training, and the expectation is for employers to hire them afterwards.

Funds can cover job training wages for up to 90 days and can contribute up to half of the participant’s wages, based on the county market wage for the SDA county as shown in the Abstract (Attachment A).

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.447#p-200.447(b)(5)

To use HVRP funds for OJT, training and education costs for Registered Apprentices enrolled in Registered Apprenticeship programs, and/or TJ wages, grant recipients must show that participants need the subsidized job training wages and create an agreement with the employer that stipulates the terms of the subsidy, duration of the job training, and that it must lead to employment. The agreement must stipulate that HVRP funds will reimburse the employer for the agreed-upon earnings to be subsidized, not more than 50 percent. Subsidized job training will not be treated as a job placement. Awardees must have a standard operating procedure (SOP) to implement and execute this process consistently.

Housing Costs for Veterans Transitioning from Certain Institutions

Housing is a critical element for successful reintegration into the workforce. HVRP funds may be used for housing, but only for eligible participants who meet the definition of a veteran who is transitioning from certain institutions, in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 2023. Applicants that propose, in their Budget Narrative, to use funds for housing assistance must identify how they will exhaust other housing options, such as those offered by penal institutions, community-based housing providers, or other housing assistance options, before expending grant funds for this purpose. Please see VPL 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions or the most current guidance on this topic for details pertaining to the allowability of these costs under HVRP.

Childcare Costs for Veterans with Children

HVRP funds may be used to provide childcare services only to participants that meet the definition of homeless veterans with children, in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 2021A, to expedite the reintegration of homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children into the labor force.

The use of grant funds for childcare services is limited to 45 days, and the amount of assistance must be reasonable considering the average cost of childcare within the local community.

Applicants that propose, in their Budget Narrative, to use funds for childcare services for these eligible participants must identify how you will exhaust other resources before expending grant funds for this purpose. Please reference VPL 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions or the most current guidance on this topic for details pertaining to the allowability of these costs under

HVRP.

Other Costs

List items or expenses not covered in other budget line items and provide specific details including the costs and quantity for each item. Show the basis for the calculations and break down costs into the cost per unit or rate (e.g., cost per square foot, cost per participant, etc.). You may also estimate the cost per month, if applicable, and the percentage that will be charged to the grant.

Incentives

Incentives may be provided to active HVRP participants for recognition and achievement directly tied to participation in the program and employment goals. Incentives may be provided to enrolled participants and participants maintaining employment throughout the 12-month retention period. If you plan to use incentive funds, your Budget Narrative must include the planned amount and type of incentives (e.g., gift cards, vouchers, etc.). Planned costs for incentives must be categorized under the “Other” cost category and not as a Participant Support https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/USCODE-2022-title38/USCODE-2022-title38-partII-chap20-subchapIII-sec2023 https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/VETS/files/HVRP-VPL-06-24-Requirements-Functions-20240923.pdf https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2022-title38/pdf/USCODE-2022-title38-partII-chap20-subchapIII-sec2021A.pdf https://www.law.cornell.edu/definitions/uscode.php?width=840&height=800&iframe=true&def_id=38-USC-1151222167-1764654737&term_occur=999&term_src=title:38:part:II:chapter:20:subchapter:III:section:2021A

Cost. Awardees that want to use grant funding for incentives must have an SOP outlining a disbursement policy and tracking system to ensure supportive services are implemented and executed consistently before incentives are dispersed. For specific guidance on incentives, including the SOP requirements, please see VPL 06-24 HVRP Requirements and Functions or the most current guidance on this topic.

Indirect Costs

If you include an amount for indirect costs (through a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement or de minimis rate) on the SF-424A budget form, then include one of the following:

a) If you have a Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement (NICRA), provide an explanation of how the indirect costs are calculated.