agriculture · USDA-NIFA

Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program

National Institute of Food and Agriculture · USDA-NIFA-OP-011940

21 days left

Award Range

$300K – $750K

Total Program Funding

$2.9M

Expected Awards

Deadline

July 31, 2026

GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview

Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program. National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 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... $300,000-$750,000 per award; $2,853,000 total program funding; ~4 awards expected.

Who Should Apply

Other eligible entities

Who Should NOT Apply

Individuals and organizations outside the specified eligible types

Key Requirements (Plain English)

•Eligibility Requirements AgVets applicants must be non-profit organizations
•Deadline: 2026-07-31

💡 GrantQuick Tip

High-value award — invest significantly in proposal quality. Consider hiring a grant writer.

Competitiveness: Very high — extremely limited awards available

What This Grant Funds

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.

Attachments

PDF

FY26 Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program

FY26-AgVets-NOFO-P.pdf

Who Can Apply

Eligibility Requirements AgVets applicants must be non-profit organizations. A letter stating the non-profit status should be included as an attachment to Field 12, Other Attachments (Part IV.B.). Institutions of higher education (i.e., universities, community colleges) are not eligible to apply as lead applicants. Only the applicant must meet the eligibility requirement. Project partners and collaborators need not meet this eligibility requirement. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply provided such organizations are necessary for the successful completion of the project, subject to NIFA approval. Applications submitted by individuals are not eligible for consideration under any category applicable to AgVets. Applicants with current and/or active AgVets awards are ineligible to apply.

Eligible Applicant Types

Other (see NOFO for details)

Funding Details

Minimum Award: $300K
Maximum Award: $750K
Total Program Funding: $2.9M
Expected Number of Awards: 4
Cost Sharing Required?: No
Funding Instrument: grant

Key Dates

Posted: July 9, 2026

Application Deadline: July 31, 2026 (21 days remaining)

Agency Contact

NIFA Support Email grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov Business hours: Monday thru Friday, 7a.m. – 5p.m. ET, except federal holidays

grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov

Ready to apply?

View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov

View on Grants.gov