Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces (Adaptive Sports Grant Program)

The Adaptive Sports Grant Program provides grants to eligible adaptive sports entities to plan, develop, manage, and implement programs to provide adaptive sports activities for Veterans and members of the Armed Forces with disabilities. For the purpose of this program, adaptive sports activities include: (1) instruction, participation, and competition in adaptive sports; (2) training and technical assistance to program administrators, coaches, recreation therapists, instructors, VA employees, and other appropriate individuals; (3) coordination, Paralympic classification of athletes, athlete assessment, sport-specific training techniques, program development (including programs at the local level), sports equipment, supplies, program evaluation, and other activities related to the implementation and operation of the program.

The primary goal for this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) is to ensure that appropriate levels of resources are provided to eligible adaptive sports entities with capabilities that are well-suited to meet the needs and priorities for Veterans with disabilities and members of the Armed Forces with disabilities.

This NOFA announces the availability of up to fifteen million dollars ($15,000,000) for initial grants to provide adaptive sports activities under the Adaptive Sports Grant Program to Veterans, and members of the Armed Forces, with disabilities. Up to $1,500,000 will be awarded for proposals providing equine therapy targeted for Veterans and members of the Armed Forces with disabilities related to mental health issues.

Review the full NOFA and VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program webpage (https://www.blogs.va.gov/nvspse/grant-program/) for further details regarding this opportunity.