Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- USDA-NIFA-OP-011940
- Agency
-
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
- Applications due
- Award size
- $300,000 to $750,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Agriculture
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is soliciting applications for competitive grants to establish and enhance farming and ranching opportunities for military veterans, with applications due by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 31, 2026. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations; institutions of higher education are explicitly excluded as lead applicants. Applicants with current or active AgVets awards are ineligible. No matching funds are required, though cost sharing is encouraged.
Total anticipated funding is $2,853,000 with individual awards ranging from $300,000 to $750,000. Approximately 3 to 4 awards are anticipated. Grant duration is 24 to 36 months. Indirect costs cannot exceed 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded.
Projects must propose Extension Projects that deliver science-based knowledge and informal educational programs focused on training military veterans through model farms and ranches. Required application components include a project narrative (maximum 16 pages, 1.5 spacing), commitment letters from partners, a data management plan, and an outcome-based reporting plan with logic model.
Applications undergo administrative screening followed by peer review using seven equally weighted evaluation criteria: Partnerships and Collaborations; Relevancy; Technical Merit; Achievability; Expertise and Track Record; Adequacy of Evaluation Process and Data Management; and Adequacy of Support Personnel and Facilities.
The Assistance Listing number is 10.334. The funding opportunity number is USDA-NIFA-OP-011940. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. For programmatic questions, contact SM.IF.AGVETS@usda.gov.
Synopsis
The USDA and NIFA continue to take a leadership role in assisting veterans who are interested in pursuing careers in agriculture, while also supporting military families in rural America. As military members complete their tours of duty or transition to Veteran status, many return to rural America ready to farm, ranch, and start new businesses. Job and career opportunities can be difficult to locate. Connecting interested military veterans with meaningful employment is key.
The AgVets program, under assistance listing 10.334, focuses on military veterans interested in pursuing careers across the food and agricultural sector and equipping them with the necessary skills, training, and experience that leads to meaningful employment opportunities, and in turn, strengthens farm finances and rural economies.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| FY26-AgVets-NOFO-P.pdf |
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