FY 2026 VLGP NOFO.pdf

Veterans Legacy Grants Program

The Veterans Legacy Grants Program (VLGP) provides funding to eligible entities to produce educational tools for students and the public to learn about the histories of Veterans interred in national, state, territorial, or Tribal Veterans cemeteries.

Department of

Veterans Affairs

Notice of

Funding Opportunity

Publication Date: February 2026 i

Table of Contents

Before you begin… ii

Section 1: Basic Information 3

Executive Summary 4

Funding Details 4

Key Dates 4

Section 2: Eligibility Information 5

Eligible Applicants 6

Cost Sharing 6

Eligibility Snapshot 6

Section 3: Program Description 7

Mission 8 Purpose 8 Goal 8 Special Interests 8 Objectives 9 Deliverables and Activities 9

Section 4: Application Contents and Format 10

Technical Factors 11 Indirect Costs 15 Forms and Attachments 16

Section 5: Submission Requirements and Deadlines 17

Required Registrations 18 Submission Instructions and Tips 18

Section 6: Application Review Information 19

Step 1: Initial Review 20 Step 2: Merit Review 21 Step 3: Selection Process 22 Step 4: Risk Review 23

Section 7: Federal Award Notices and Contact 24

Federal Award Notices 25 Federal Awarding Agency Contact 25

Section 8: Post-Award Requirements 26

Administrative and National Policy Requirements 27 Monitoring 28 Financial Management 28 Reporting 29

Thank you 31 ii

Before you begin… If you believe you are a good candidate for this grant, secure your SAM.gov and Grants.gov registrations now.

Registration

• To register, go to SAM.gov Entity Registration and click “Get Started.”

• See a checklist for what you will need to register in SAM.

• The Entity Registration page also includes a video that walks you through the registration process. If you need help, you can call 866-606-8220 or live chat with the Federal Service Desk.

• This process can take 2 weeks or more.

Registration

• To register, go to Grants.gov and click “Get Registered Now.”

• This process can take 3 to 5 business days.

https://sam.gov/content/home https://iae-prd-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/entity-checklist.pdf?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&X-Amz-Date=20241022T121104Z&X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&X-Amz-Expires=86399&X-Amz-Credential=AKIAY3LPYEEXXDEYQVFT%2F20241022%2Fus-east-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&X-Amz-Signature=828aafe5c26daec1fac41dfdada3e0a20598dd9cb9e265fe2580388e1ed8d25f https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.grants.gov/register.html

Section 1: Basic Information

Executive Summary | Funding Details | Key Dates

Executive Summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is awarding grants up to a maximum of $400,000 per recipient through the Veterans Legacy Grants Program (VLGP). Grant recipients would provide tools for the public to learn about the histories of Veterans interred in national cemeteries and state, territorial, and Tribal Veterans cemeteries. There is special interest in highlighting the histories of Veterans who have significant connections to their local communities. These grants support the President’s priority to recognize that our nation’s security, prosperity, and freedom would not be possible without our Veterans and, as demonstrated in Executive Order 14296 - Keeping Promises to

Veterans and Establishing a National Center for Warrior Independence, that each veteran deserves our gratitude. These legacy grants ensure that

Veterans are remembered for their sacrifices.

Funding Details

• Total amount of funding the program expects to award: $2.2 million

• Anticipated number of awards: 6-9

• Approximate dollar value of each award: $250,000 - $400,000

• VLGP grants will only be awarded if funding is allocated to this program.

• To promote a wider number of organizations seeking the opportunity to explore the lives and legacies of our nation’s Veterans, VLGP grants will not be awarded to organizations that have received a VLGP award in all three award cycles of FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2025.

Opportunity Snapshot

• Federal Agency Name:

Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration

• Funding Opportunity Title:

Veterans Legacy Grants Program

• Announcement Type:

Initial Announcement

• Funding Opportunity Number:

VA-NCA-VLGP-FY2026

• Assistance Listing Number: 64.204

Questions?

Mr. John Williams

Senior Grants Management Specialist

National Cemetery Administration

VLGP@va.gov

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: 5:00 pm Eastern Time on 03/27/2026 on www.Grants.gov. Application received after this date and time is ineligible for consideration.

• Pre-Application Virtual Workshops: January and early February 2026.

Assist potential applicants with the grant application process and the VLGP goals.

• Notification to award recipients will occur approximately 90 days after the application deadline.

• VLGP awards will be awarded in Federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 (October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026) and the project period must start on or before September 1, 2026.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/keeping-promises-to-veterans-and-establishing-a-national-center-for-warrior-independence/ https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/05/keeping-promises-to-veterans-and-establishing-a-national-center-for-warrior-independence/ mailto:VLGP@va.gov http://www.grants.gov/

Section 2: Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants | Cost Sharing | Eligibility Snapshot

Section 2: Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

• Institutions of higher learning,

• Educational institutions,

• Local educational agencies,

• Non-profit entities chartered under 501(c)(3), and

• Other entities the Secretary of Veterans Affairs deems appropriate.

Cost Sharing

• No cost sharing or matching is required.

• VA encourages leveraging other resources to promote sustainability.

Eligibility Snapshot

• Eligible Applicants: See definition of eligible recipient (or entity) at 38 C.F.R.

38.715(c).

• Full Program Regulations: 38 C.F.R.

38.710 - 38 C.F.R. 38.785.

• Maximum Number of Applications per Eligible Organization: 1

• Cost Share Requirement: None https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/part-38/subject-group-ECFRccc9259166c9552#p-38.715(c) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/part-38/subject-group-ECFRccc9259166c9552#p-38.715(c) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-38/subject-group-ECFRccc9259166c9552#subject-group-ECFRccc9259166c9552 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-38/subject-group-ECFRccc9259166c9552#subject-group-ECFRccc9259166c9552

Section 3: Program Description

Mission | Purpose | Goal | Special Interests | Objectives | Deliverables and Activities

Mission

To commemorate the Nation’s Veterans and Service members through the discovery and sharing of their stories.

Purpose

As stated in the enabling legislation and implementing regulations, the purpose of this grant program is to:

• Conduct research related to national, state, territorial, or Tribal Veterans cemeteries.

• Produce educational materials that teach about the history of Veterans interred in national, state, territorial, or Tribal Veterans cemeteries.

• Contribute to the extended memorialization of Veterans by presenting research on national, state, territorial, or Tribal Veterans cemeteries through site hosting and other digital technologies.

• Promote community engagement with the histories of Veterans interred in national, state, territorial, or Tribal Veterans cemeteries.

Goal

Encourage students and teachers to immerse themselves in the rich historical resources and the stories of Veterans found within national cemeteries and other Veterans cemeteries. Expand Veteran biographies in the Veterans Legacy Memorial and foster community engagement.

Special Interests

Research can be conducted within the context of any established academic discipline and may be interdisciplinary.

The VLGP is particularly interested in funding projects that focus on:

• Veterans who have significant connections to their local communities.

• Veterans in geographical areas and cemeteries where a Veterans Legacy Program has not been fully developed.

Fund

Educational

Outreach

Priority 3

Outreach and Community

Engagement

Priority 1

Educational Materials

Priority 2

Veterans Legacy Memorial

Veterans Legacy Grant Program Priorities https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-38/subject-group-ECFRccc9259166c9552

Objectives

1. Tell the stories of Veterans interred in national cemeteries or other Veterans cemeteries, especially those who have significant connections to their local communities.

2. Encourage students and teachers at the K-12 levels and universities around the country to immerse themselves in the rich historical resources found within national cemeteries or other Veterans cemeteries.

3. Develop resources that support learning and research about Veterans who can no longer tell their own story.

4. Expand the biographical content within the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) at www.va.gov/remember with biographies written by students, teachers, and other program participants.

5. Foster community engagement in and around national cemeteries and other Veterans cemeteries.

Deliverables and Activities

Project proposals will support the memorialization of Veterans and Service members interred in national cemeteries or other Veterans cemeteries and address the following areas:

1. Educational Materials

• Develop grade-appropriate lesson plans and related educational materials.

• Conduct instruction for K-12 students.

• Develop and conduct a Teacher Professional Development Program for K-12 educators (teachers, resource and curriculum specialists, and school administrators).

2. Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM)

• Teach professional historical research methods which result in participant-generated biographies that program participants will upload into NCA’s VLM at www.va.gov/remember.

3. Outreach and Community Engagement

• Visit at least one national cemetery or other Veterans cemetery.

• Develop a framework for digital and non-digital outreach and community engagement.

• Address how outreach and community engagement will extend beyond the period of the grant award.

Additional Requirements

Materials created through this grant must focus on primary research about Veterans or Service members who are buried or honored in VA national cemeteries or VA-funded cemeteries.

This research should be conducted by students with the guidance of qualified educators, such as licensed teachers or professors with advanced degrees.

The research must be presented in ways that are easy for students, teachers, scholars, and the public to understand. It can be part of any academic field and may include multiple disciplines. There is no preference for specific disciplines or research methods.

Participants must visit a cemetery at least once during the project period where the Veterans or Service members being researched are buried or honored.

http://www.va.gov/remember

Section 4: Application Contents and Format

Technical Factors | Indirect Costs | Forms and Attachments

Technical Factors

An eligible entity must submit a complete application package to VA. Applications will be accepted only through Grants.gov (http://www.grants.gov). A complete grant application includes standard forms specified in this NOFO and a discussion of how your project will address each of five technical factors. Pre-applications, letters of intent, and white papers are not required.

General Guidance

The following technical factors should be discussed by the applicant using additional attachments included in the Grants.gov application package. Applications will be reviewed and evaluated based on the applicant’s response to the five technical factors.

VA will assess each of these technical factors using a 43-point scale as follows:

1. Educational Materials – 15 possible points

Option A: The applicant shall develop grade-appropriate lesson plans and related educational materials and provide instruction to K-12 students. Undergraduate and graduate students may be involved in developing lesson plans, supporting research efforts, and providing instruction. However, the focus of the project must be educating K- 12 students.

Or

Option B: The applicant shall develop and conduct a Teacher Professional Development Program for K-12 educators (teachers, resource and curriculum specialists, and school administrators). Undergraduate and graduate students may be involved in developing teacher professional development programs, supporting research efforts, and providing instruction. However, the focus of the project must be K-12 educators. Teacher professional development should comply with the state’s K-12 standards. It should also include all other resources, materials, and aids required for the school-based implementation of programs related to national and Veterans’ cemeteries.

Or

Option C: A combination of A and B above.

Note

Applicants are encouraged to include an interpretive walking tour for the public as part of their proposal. The walking tour should contain a brief history and map of the cemetery, highlight key and unique features for that specific cemetery, and feature profiles of Veterans interred in that cemetery. NCA can provide a template of an existing brochure. Successful applicants will need to obtain artwork, maps, and images as necessary.

Technical Factors + Indirect Costs - Forms and Attachments -

Required Format for Project Narrative covering Technical Factors 1, 2, and 3

• Limit: Five pages or less not including graphs, charts, and spreadsheets

• Font and Font size: Times New Roman 12-point

• Spacing: Double-spaced

• Margins: 1-inch

• Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches

• Language: English

• Other formatting: Use the Project Narrative attachment and include page numbers.

http://www.grants.gov/

What You Need to Know

Lesson plan includes:

• A plan of instruction that reflects the state’s K-12 curriculum standards and

• All other resources, materials, and aids required for the school-based implementation of the lesson.

Educational materials mean (Option A):

• A framework of digital instructional materials relevant to the grade level of K-12 students involved, e.g., lesson plans, that can be used for outreach and other purposes.

o The lesson plan product can be multiple lessons structured around pre-cemetery visit and post-cemetery visit learning.

o Applicant should explain who will receive this instruction and what will be expected of students as part of the curriculum.

o Lessons shall teach students how to research decedent Veterans and tell their stories through a student-research project.

o Applicant should also address how many K-12 students will receive instruction using these lesson plans.

Teacher Professional Development Program for K-12 educators (Option B and C):

• Applicant should explain who will receive this instruction and what will be expected of participants as part of the program.

• Lessons shall teach educators how to research decedent Veterans and tell their stories through a student-research project.

o The intent is to enable educators to relay these skills to K-12 students.

• Applicant should address how many K-12 educators will receive instruction and how many hours each teacher is expected to participate in the program.

• Applicant should also address if continuing education units will be awarded to participating educators and how those units will be accredited to participants.

2. Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) – 11 possible points

Applicant shall teach professional historical research methods, which result in participant-generated biographies, written tributes, or other content that program participants will upload into NCA’s VLM at www.va.gov/remember.

What You Need to Know

VLM does not have the capacity to upload videos; however, hyperlinks to videos may be included on VLM pages.

Technical Factors + Indirect Costs - Forms and Attachments -

3. Outreach and Community Engagement – 9 possible points

A. Applicant shall describe how the program will involve a visit to at least one national cemetery or other Veterans cemetery. The visit should be structured around sessions before and after the cemetery visits, B. Applicant shall describe how they plan to develop a framework for digital and non-digital outreach and community engagement based on student research focused on at least one VA national cemetery or VA grant-funded cemetery. “Community engagement” means strategic interaction with identified groups of people to identify and address issues related to the legacy of Veterans. These people may be connected by geographic location, special interest, or affiliation, and

C. Applicant shall describe how their outreach and community engagement will extend beyond the period of the grant award. Previous recipients of a VLGP grant should also describe how their outreach efforts from that prior year have been continued after the award period of performance ended.

4. Team – 4 possible points

A. Expertise and Capacity

• The applicant shall describe their ability and capacity to administer the project. This may include evidence of past experience with projects similar in scope. For example, this could include descriptions of the engagement model, examples of successful leadership and management of a project of similar (or larger) scale and budget, or related work in this field.

B. Project Personnel

• The applicant shall provide a list of the names of contributing scholars. This must include short Curriculum Vitae describing their credentials in their respective fields. The team must have at least one member with an advanced degree in their field and demonstrated scholarly output within the area of focus. The team will designate a single point of contact.

Technical Factors + Indirect Costs - Forms and Attachments -

Required Format for Team

• Limit: Three pages or less

• File Name: Project Team Expertise and Capacity

• File Format: PDF

• Font and Font size: Times New Roman 12-point

• Spacing: Double-spaced

• Margins: 1-inch

• Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches

• Language: English

• Other formatting, signature, or sequence requirements: Use the Other Attachments and include page numbers.

• Upload instructions: Upload in the “Other Attachments” on Grants.gov.

5. Budget – 4 possible points

General Guidance

• Applicant shall identify all proposed expenditures for the project using the budget categories listed in boxes 6.a. through 6.j. of “Section B

– Budget Categories” on the SF-424A. Applicant shall include a budget narrative for each category. The budget and budget narrative should be arranged in the following order:

i. Personnel (Salaries and Wages)

ii. Fringe Benefits

iii. Travel

iv. Equipment

v. Supplies

vi. Contractual

vii. Construction

viii. Other

ix. Indirect Charges

Of note, applicant budgets may include costs related to data and evaluation as relevant per 2 C.F.R. § 200.455.

Technical Factors + Indirect Costs - Forms and Attachments -

Required Format for Budget

• Limit: Five pages or less not including graphs, charts, and spreadsheets

• File Name: Budget

• File Format: PDF

• Font and Font size: Times New Roman 12-point

• Spacing: Double-spaced

• Margins: 1-inch

• Page size: 8.5 x 11 inches

• Language: English

• Other formatting, signature, or sequence requirements: Use the Budget Narrative and include page numbers.

• Upload instructions: Upload in the “Budget” on Grants.gov.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.455#p-200.455(c)

Indirect Costs

Indirect costs are those for a common or joint purpose across more than one project and that cannot be easily separated by project. See 2 C.F.R.

Part 200 Appendix III and Appendix IV.

To charge indirect costs, you can select one of two methods:

Method 1 – Approved rate. If you currently have an indirect cost rate approved by your cognizant Federal agency, provide a summary of the rate and enclose a copy of the current approved rate agreement in the Attachments.

Method 2 – De minimis rate. Per 2 C.F.R. 200.414(f), if you have never received a negotiated indirect cost rate, you may elect to charge a de minimis rate. If you are awaiting approval of an indirect cost proposal, you may also use the de minimis rate. If you choose this method, costs included in the indirect cost pool must not be charged as direct costs.

This rate may be up to 15% of Modified Total Direct Costs (MTDC). See 2 C.F.R. 200.1 for the definition of MTDC. You can use this rate indefinitely.

As described in 2 C.F.R. 200.403, you must consistently charge items as either indirect or direct costs, and you may not double charge.

Technical Factors - Indirect Costs + Forms and Attachments -

Method 1

• Currently approved indirect cost rate

• Include copy of approved rate in "Attachments" section

Method 2

• De minimis indirect cost rate

• Currently up to 15% per 2 C.F.R. 200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20III%20to%20Part%20200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/appendix-Appendix%20IV%20to%20Part%20200 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200#p-200.414(f) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-200/section-200.1#p-200.1(Modified%20Total%20Direct%20Cost%20(MTDC)) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.403

Forms and Attachments

You must complete the following forms and upload the PDF attachments to Grants.gov.

Grants.gov Form Title Type File Name Note

Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424) OMB Form SF-424 Fillable form on Grants.gov

Budget Information for Non-Construction Programs (SF-424A) OMB Form SF-424A Fillable form on Grants.gov

Assurances – Non-Construction Programs (SF-424B) OMB Form SF-424B Fillable form on Grants.gov

Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) OMB Form SF-LLL Fillable form on Grants.gov

Key Contacts OMB Form Key Contacts Fillable form on Grants.gov

Project/Performance Site Location(s) OMB Form Site Location Fillable form on Grants.gov

Project Abstract Summary OMB Form Abstract Summary Fillable form on Grants.gov

Project Abstract OMB Form Project Abstract Attach a one-page PDF to form

Project Narrative file Attachment Project Narrative Attach PDF to form

Budget Narrative file Attachment Budget Attach PDF to form

Attachments form Attachment Project Team Expertise and Capacity Attach PDF to form

Attachments form Attachment Indirect Cost Rate Agreement Attach PDF to form

Technical Factors - Indirect Costs - Forms and Attachments +

Section 5: Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Required Registrations | Submission Instructions and Tips

Section 5: Submission Requirements and Deadlines

Required Registrations

❏ Register in SAM.gov or make sure your registration is up to date. This process can take 2 weeks or more. Begin as soon as possible.

Note: You must maintain an active and current registration in SAM.gov while you have an active Federal award or an application under consideration by VA.

❏ Get a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). You get your UEI when you register in SAM.gov. This is different from a Data Universal Number System

(DUNS) number. (See DUNS to UEI transition information.)

❏ Register in Grants.gov (See Registering with Grants.gov). Make sure to allow for a few days.

Submission Instructions and Tips

Grants.gov has information about the online application process. See How to Apply for Grants at Grants.gov for electronic submission instructions.

• Consider how you will collaborate with your team. You can use your own software to prepare your application or use Workspace. Workspace is a shared, online environment where your team can edit at the same time. For instructions, go to Get Started on Your Workspace Application.

• For more help, go to Training Resources and Videos for Grants.gov.

• Make sure that your version of Adobe will work with Grants.gov. See Adobe Software Compatibility.

• Allow enough time to prepare and submit the application before the closing date and time. If you have a slow internet connection, be aware that transmission can take some time before Grants.gov receives your application. Grants.gov will send an error or success email to the Authorized Organization Representative (AOR).

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 03/27/2026 at 5:00 pm Eastern Time (ET). If you submit your application after the deadline, VA will not process it.

Need Help?

For SAM: Call 866-606-8220 or go to the Federal Service Desk.

For Grants.gov: Call 1-800-518-4726 or email support@grants.gov.

Address to Request Application Package You can find the application package online.

Go to Grants.gov SEARCH GRANTS and search for Opportunity Number VA-NCA-VLGP-FY2026.

Submission Methods Electronic Submission. You must submit your application through Grants.gov. Everything you upload in Grants.gov must be in a PDF format.

Submission Date and Time 03/27/2026 at 5:00 pm ET.

Intergovernmental Review This program is not subject to Executive Order 12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs. No action is needed.

https://sam.gov/content/entity-registration https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei https://sam.gov/content/duns-uei https://www.grants.gov/register.html https://www.grants.gov/register.html https://www.grants.gov/register.html https://www.grants.gov/register.html https://www.grants.gov/register.html https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/applicants/workspace-overview.html https://www.grants.gov/applicants/applicant-training.html https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.grants.gov/applicants/adobe-software-compatibility.html https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:support@grants.gov https://www.grants.gov/search-grants

Section 6: Application Review Information

Initial Review | Merit Review | Selection Process | Risk Review

Step 1: Initial Review

Review the NOFO to make sure that your application is complete. Any application that is not eligible, complete, or responsive will not move forward.

Applicants who wish to update their application while still within the 30-day application window must resubmit the entire application on Grants.gov.

Each time an application is submitted via Grants.gov, the submission will generate a new date and time-stamp email notification. We will review only the most recent application submitted prior to the 30-day deadline.

Disqualifying Factors

VA will not consider an application that:

• Is from an organization that has received a VLGP award in all three award cycles of FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2025.

• Is from an organization that does not meet eligibility conditions.

• Requests funding above $400,000.00

• Is not submitted through Grants.gov.

• Is submitted after the deadline.

• Contains conflicting information, is incomplete, or untimely. This will result in the application being rejected.

• Is not submitted as a complete package. Materials arriving separately will not be included in the application package for consideration.

Factors that may limit competitiveness:

• VA will remove pages from your application that go over the page limit. Applications with formatting that does not meet the requirements specified in this NOFO may receive a score reduction.

Initial Review + Merit Review - Selection Process - Risk Review -

Step 2: Merit Review

A review panel will evaluate all applications that pass the initial review using the criteria below. A full description of each criterion and what is expected can be found in the Technical Factors section.

Technical Factors Maximum Points: 43

Educational Materials 15 points

Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) 11 points

Outreach and Community Engagement 9 points

Team 4 points

Budget 4 points

VA may request clarifying information to inform funding recommendations. A request for clarification does not guarantee a grant award. If an organization does not respond by the deadline to a request for clarification, VA will remove its application from consideration.

Initial Review - Merit Review + Selection Process - Risk Review -

Step 3: Selection Process

Upon review of an application and dependent on availability of funds, VA will categorize each application into one of the following:

1. Approve the application for funding, in whole or in part, for such amount of funds, and subject to such conditions that VA deems necessary or desirable; or

2. Determine that the application is of acceptable quality for funding, in that it meets minimum criteria, but disapprove the application for funding because it did not rank sufficiently high in relation to other applications to qualify for an award based on the level of funding available; or

3. Disapprove the application for failure to meet the applicable selection criteria at a sufficiently high level in comparison to other applications to justify an award of funds, or for another reason as provided in the documentation of the decision; or

4. Defer action on the application pending further review.

Award Decision

• VA will use the ranked scores of applications to select applicants that will receive funds. VA will also use clarifying information provided by the applicants.

• Award decisions may be based on factors such as need, geographic dispersion, and availability of funding.

Other Information

VA is required to ensure compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders when evaluating and awarding grants. In accordance with Executive Order 14332, Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking, aside from the evaluation criteria published in this announcement, VA has discretion to remove from consideration any applicant VA deems does not demonstrably advance the President’s or VA’s priorities. VA will not fund activities that use racial preference for eligibility criteria or promote gender ideology. VA will not fund activities that promote or facilitate violations of immigration laws or are sources of waste, fraud, or abuse. VA will not tolerate activity or conduct by grant recipients that constitute acts of moral turpitude, are scandalous, or bring the recipient, the project funded by this grant, or VA into public disrepute, contempt, or ridicule.

Initial Review - Merit Review - Selection Process + Risk Review -https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/08/improving-oversight-of-federal-grantmaking/

Step 4: Risk Review

Prior to making an award, and at any time post-award, VA will review any available information, including its own records and any Office of Management and Budget-designated repository of Governmentwide eligibility or financial integrity information, such as SAM.gov.

VA will comply with the requirements of 2 C.F.R. parts 180 and 801.

VA will conduct a business risk assessment in accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.206.

• VA may ask applicants or grant recipients to submit additional information regarding their ability to manage Federal funds.

• The risk assessment may consider results of the applicant’s eligibility (threshold review) or the quality of its application (merit review). If VA decides to make an award, VA may add specific conditions to the award corresponding to the degree of risk.

• Applicants may review and comment on any information in SAM.gov about their organization. If the applicant comments on any SAM.gov records, VA will consider the comment as part of the risk review.

Initial Review - Merit Review - Selection Process - Risk Review + https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-B/chapter-VIII/part-801?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.206

Section 7: Federal Award Notices and Contact

Federal Award Notices | Federal Awarding Agency Contact

Section 7: Federal Award Notices and Contact

Federal Award Notices

The VLGP Office will announce grant awards after a review of all received applications.

• Period of Performance will be 12 months.

• Notification letter will be sent to the grant award recipients via email to the AOR.

• Announcement will be made via news release which will be posted on the VA NCA website at: www.cem.va.gov.

• Pre-award costs are not allowed for this program.

Grant Agreements: After an applicant is approved for an award, VA will draft a grant agreement to be executed by VA and the recipient.

Recipients will be subject to requirements of this NOFO, VLGP regulations (38 C.F.R. 38.710 through 38.785), other Federal grant requirements under 2 C.F.R. Part 200, and the recipient’s VLGP application.

Applicants that are not selected will be sent a declination letter via email after notification letters are sent to the grant award recipients.

Federal Awarding Agency Contact

Questions?

Program Contact:

Mr. John Williams Senior Grants Management Specialist National Cemetery Administration VLGP@va.gov http://www.cem.va.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-38/chapter-I/part-38/subject-group-ECFRccc9259166c9552?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200?toc=1 mailto:VLGP@va.gov

Section 8: Post-Award Requirements

Administrative and National Policy Requirements | Monitoring | Financial Management |

Reporting

Section 9: Post-Award Requirements

Administrative and National Policy Requirements

Federal Assistance Rules and Policies

VA places great emphasis on responsibility and accountability. VA has procedures in place to monitor grant programs and outcomes associated with the services provided under VLGP.

Summary: All VA awards must follow 2 C.F.R. Part 200 which includes the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards.

VA Grants Policy Statement

In accepting a VA award, your organization assumes legal, financial, administrative, and programmatic responsibility for administering the award in accordance with any provisions included in the award, as well as the laws, rules, regulations, and executive orders governing assistance awards.

Other Award Terms and Conditions

General Terms and Conditions

After an applicant is approved for an award, VA will draft a grant agreement to be executed by VA and the recipient. Upon execution of the grant agreement, VA will obligate the grant amount. Recipients will be subject to the requirements of this NOFO, VLGP regulations (38 C.F.R. 38.710 through 38.785), other Federal grant requirements under 2 C.F.R. Part 200 and the recipient’s VLGP application.

Non-Discrimination Policies

If you receive an award, you must execute your project (e.g., productions, workshops, programs, etc.) in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Age Discrimination Act of 1975, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and all other non-discrimination policies.

Monitoring

Project officers will meet with recipients to:

• Ensure proposed activities and deliverables are on track for completion.

• Help you revise your work plan activities or performance measure targets based on achievement of objectives or budget changes.

• Help you develop or revise success stories and promote them along with other reports and publications.

• Support sharing information on best practices and lessons learned. This sharing could be done through required annual recipient meetings and quarterly conference calls or other venues.

• Promote collaboration with other Federal, State, and local health, environmental, and housing agencies by initiating contacts, conference calls, and onsite visits to discuss programmatic issues.

Compliance Review:

VA may conduct site visits to the recipient’s location or desk reviews to review recipient accomplishments and internal control systems. In addition, VA may conduct as many inspections as needed of recipient records to determine compliance. All visits and evaluations will be performed with minimal disruption to the recipient to the extent practicable.

Financial Management

You must have a financial management system that can properly manage funds and support financial reporting. See 2 C.F.R. 200.302, Financial Management.

Payment

All recipients must register in the Health and Human Services Payment Management Services (HHS-PMS) Program Support Center at www.psc.gov. Funds will be disbursed through HHS-PMS and are to be paid in accordance with 2 C.F.R. 200.305. Recipients will be required to support their request for payment based on the project budget. VA may recover from the recipient any funds that are not used in accordance with the grant agreement.

Recovery of Funds

In the event that VA assesses the recovering grant funds may be necessary in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, it will issue a notice of intent to recover grant funds and the recipient will then have 30 calendar days to submit documentation demonstrating why the grant funds should not be recovered.

After reviewing all submitted documentation, VA will determine whether action will be taken to recover the grant funds. When VA decides to recover grant funds from the recipient, VA will stop further payments of grant funds until the grant funds are recovered and the condition that led to the decision to recover grant funds has been resolved.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-II/part-200/subpart-D/section-200.302 http://www.psc.gov/ https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/section-200.305

Reporting

Standard Reports – VA requires reporting for all awards. All reports must be sent to VLGP@va.gov. The table below summarizes required reports.

Report Description When

Quarterly Program Performance Report (PPR) • Completion of the SF-PPR

• Includes performance measures, successes, challenges

• Participation totals and statistics

• Updates work plan

• Includes measures and targets

• Shows how data is collected and used

No later than 30 days after the end of each quarter

Quarterly reports due by January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30

Quarterly Federal Financial Report (FFR) • Completion of the SF-425

• Includes funds authorized and disbursed during the budget period

• Indicates exact balance of unobligated funds and other financial information

No later than 30 days after the end of each quarter

Quarterly reports due by January 30, April 30, July 30, and October 30

Final Program Performance Report (PPR) Includes:

• Completion of the SF-PPR

• Information like Quarterly Program Performance Report with cumulative totals for the entire project

• Participation totals and statistics

• Overall Program Evaluation

• Proof of meeting VLGP objectives as outlined in the NOFO

• Summary of the effectiveness of the completed project

No later than 120 days after the end of the period of performance

Final Federal Financial Report (FFR) • Completion of the SF-425

• Includes all funds authorized and disbursed during the period of performance

No later than 120 days after the end of the period of performance

Additional reports – VA may request additional information, records, and reports to allow VA to assess program effectiveness.

Debarment and Suspension (Non-procurement) – Additional reporting and responsibilities are required per 2 C.F.R. Part 180.

Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA). FFATA requires certain recipients to report information on executive compensation through SAM.gov and information on all sub-awards, subcontracts, and consortiums over $30,000 to the FFATA Subaward Reporting

System. To see more on FFATA, visit 2 C.F.R. Part 170.

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/subtitle-A/chapter-I/part-180?toc=1 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-2/part-170

Signing Authority

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has delegated authority to the Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer, to approve this document and authorized the undersigned to sign and submit the document to Grants.gov for publication electronically as an official document of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

r::�- Richard F. Topping Assistant Secretary for Ma.

and Chief Financial Office1 Department of Veterans Affairs

Date :z/J..,-/4

Thank you for applying to the

Veterans Legacy Grants Program

For SAM.gov: Call 866-606-8220 or go to the Federal Service Desk For Grants.gov: Call 1-800-518-4726 or email support@grants.gov

Closing https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp https://www.fsd.gov/gsafsd_sp mailto:support@grants.gov