Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 011940
The Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program (often referred to as the AgVets program) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary grant opportunity designed to help military veterans build careers and businesses across the food and agriculture sector. The program is rooted in the reality that many service members leaving active duty or transitioning to veteran status return to rural communities with an interest in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related ventures, but may struggle to find clear job pathways, training, or local support. By funding projects that connect veterans to real skills development and employment opportunities, the program aims to improve long-term career outcomes for veterans while also strengthening farm profitability and supporting rural economic growth.
This opportunity is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.334 and is administered by NIFA. The funding instrument is a grant, with an anticipated maximum award size (award ceiling) of $750,000. NIFA expects to make about 4 awards under this competition. The opportunity is identified as USDA NIFA OP 011940, and applications are due by July 31, 2026.
Eligibility is narrowly defined. Only non-profit organizations may apply as lead applicants, and the application must include documentation of non-profit status as an attachment in the designated “Other Attachments” field (Field 12, Part IV.B). Institutions of higher education, including universities and community colleges, are not eligible to apply as the lead applicant for this program. Individuals are also not eligible to apply under any AgVets category. Importantly, organizations that already have a current and/or active AgVets award are not eligible to apply for this round.
While the lead applicant must be an eligible non-profit, the program allows flexibility in how projects are built and delivered. Project partners and collaborators do not need to meet the non-profit eligibility requirement, meaning a non-profit applicant can team with a wide range of supporting organizations. In addition, award recipients may subcontract with entities that are not eligible to apply directly, as long as those subcontractors are necessary to carry out the project and the arrangement is approved by NIFA. This structure is intended to make it easier for eligible non-profits to assemble strong coalitions that can deliver training, technical assistance, and employment connections for veterans in agriculture.Apply for USDA NIFA OP 011940
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.334.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-07-09.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 4 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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AgVets (Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans) Grant FAQs
What is the AgVets grant program?
The Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program (often called the AgVets program) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary grant opportunity that funds projects helping military veterans build careers and businesses across the food and agriculture sector.
What is the purpose of the AgVets program?
The program is designed to address common barriers veterans may face when leaving active duty or transitioning to veteran status, especially those returning to rural communities. It supports projects that connect veterans to practical skills development, training, and real employment opportunities in agriculture, with the broader goals of improving long-term career outcomes for veterans, strengthening farm profitability, and supporting rural economic growth.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number for this program?
The program is listed under CFDA/Assistance Listing 10.334.
What type of funding instrument is being offered?
The funding instrument for this opportunity is a grant.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The anticipated maximum award size (award ceiling) is $750,000.
How many awards does NIFA expect to make?
NIFA expects to make about 4 awards under this competition.
What is the opportunity identifier?
The opportunity is identified as USDA NIFA OP 011940.
When are applications due?
Applications are due by July 31, 2026.
Who is eligible to apply as the lead applicant?
Only non-profit organizations are eligible to apply as lead applicants under this opportunity.
Are colleges, universities, or community colleges eligible to apply as the lead applicant?
No. Institutions of higher education, including universities and community colleges, are not eligible to apply as the lead applicant for this program.
Are individuals eligible to apply?
No. Individuals are not eligible to apply under any AgVets category.
Can an organization with a current or active AgVets award apply?
No. Organizations that already have a current and/or active AgVets award are not eligible to apply for this round.
Is proof of non-profit status required with the application?
Yes. The application must include documentation of non-profit status as an attachment.
Where in the application should the non-profit status documentation be uploaded?
The documentation of non-profit status must be attached in the designated "Other Attachments" field: Field 12, Part IV.B.
Do project partners and collaborators need to be non-profits?
No. While the lead applicant must be an eligible non-profit, project partners and collaborators do not need to meet the non-profit eligibility requirement.
Can the lead non-profit partner with a wide range of organizations?
Yes. The program is structured to allow eligible non-profit applicants to team with a wide range of supporting organizations to build and deliver strong projects for veteran training, technical assistance, and employment connections in agriculture.
Can grant recipients subcontract with entities that are not eligible to apply directly?
Yes. Award recipients may subcontract with entities that are not eligible to apply directly, as long as the subcontractors are necessary to carry out the project and the arrangement is approved by NIFA.
What kinds of activities are projects expected to support?
Based on the program description, funded projects are expected to connect veterans to skills development and employment opportunities across the food and agriculture sector, including training, technical assistance, and connections that support career and business pathways in agriculture.
How does the program aim to benefit rural communities and the agricultural economy?
By helping veterans enter and succeed in agriculture-related careers and businesses, the program aims to improve veterans' long-term career outcomes while also strengthening farm profitability and supporting rural economic growth.
Does the program focus only on farming?
No. The program is described as supporting careers and businesses across the food and agriculture sector, which includes farming and ranching as well as other agriculture-related ventures.
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Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA OP 011940) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Laying Hen and Turkey Research Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 012080 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 012080 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $440,115 |
| Enhancing Biotechnology Market Opportunities for U.S. Exporters and American Farmers Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 109 26 0001 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 109 26 0001 Agency: Foreign Agricultural Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Apply for USDA NIFA OP 012079 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 012079 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $2,145,845 |
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