Grants for Transportation in Highly Rural Areas

Background
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Grants for Transportation of Veterans in Highly Rural Areas program for fiscal year 2025. This program aims to address barriers to access to VA care for Veterans living in highly rural areas, which often have limited transportation options. Approximately $8 million is authorized for this fiscal year, specifically targeting new grantees.

Grant Details
The grant will fund transportation services for Veterans residing in highly rural areas, defined as those with a population of less than seven persons per square mile. Key details include:
- One grant may be awarded per highly rural area, with no simultaneous grants allowed in the same area.
- Each grant will not exceed $50,000 per area, with anticipated awards totaling $3 million.
- Transportation services provided will be free of charge to Veterans.
- Grants are awarded for a one-year period and are subject to available appropriated funds and legal modifications.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible entities include Veterans Service Organizations recognized by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and State Veterans Service Agencies. Current grantees under the Highly Rural Transportation program are not eligible to apply. Applicants must submit a complete application package to be considered.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for the grants is one year, starting from the date of award.

Grant Value
Approximately $8 million is available for FY 2025, with individual grants not exceeding $50,000 per highly rural area. The total anticipated value of new awards ranges from $100,000 to $1.5 million.

Place of Performance
The grants will be performed in designated highly rural areas across the United States.