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

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), through its National Veterans Sports Programs and Special Events Office (NVSPSE), is offering up to $5,000,000 in federal funding for Fiscal Year 2025 to support the VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program, specifically focused on Equine Therapy Grants. This program is designed to fund organizations that provide adaptive sports programs using equine therapy for disabled Veterans and members of the Armed Forces. The goal of this initiative is to improve the independence, well-being, and quality of life of Veterans through therapeutic engagement in equine activities. The grant emphasizes support for organizations that can serve Veterans in underserved geographic areas or through sports of growing interest. It also prioritizes web-based or in-person training that incorporates VA subject matter experts and classifier certification opportunities. Funding is awarded competitively for programs that deliver equine therapy activities aimed at addressing mental health needs. Only those programs that explicitly provide equine therapy (as defined in 38 C.F.R. § 77.2) and address mental health will be considered under this funding opportunity; other adaptive sports must be submitted under a separate funding notice (VA-SPORTS-25). Eligible applicants must be non-federal entities with at least two years of continuous experience operating a large-scale adaptive sports program for individuals with disabilities, where the disabilities are similar to those faced by disabled Veterans. Organizations must also demonstrate significant experience through qualified staff and appropriate partnerships, with large-scale status defined as serving 50+ individuals or participants across at least five congressional districts. Applications must include several components such as the Adaptive Sport Grant Application (VA Form 10096), a detailed narrative, budget documents, and registration in SAM.gov. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by July 2, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. ET. Renewal, initial, and noncompetitive application formats are all accepted based on applicant status and the nature of the proposal. Proposals will undergo a three-phase review: administrative, merit, and programmatic. The merit review evaluates alignment with program goals, cost reasonableness, compliance, and applicant qualifications. Funding decisions are expected by September 30, 2025, with the 12-month award period starting September 30, 2025, and ending September 30, 2026. Reporting requirements include quarterly updates and an annual closeout report, and awardees must participate in a joint outreach campaign with the VA. Contact for questions or submission issues is the NVSPSE office via email at Grants4Vets@va.gov. Additional resources, FAQs, and forms are available at https://department.va.gov/veteran-sports/grant-program/.

Ensure all required documents are complete and within page limits Avoid multiple category submissions Use the correct naming convention for all documents Emphasize service to Veterans with disabilities and mental health impact