Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking
VA is required to ensure compliance with all applicable statutes, regulations, and Executive Orders when evaluating and awarding grants. In accordance with Executive Order 14332, Improving Oversight of Federal Grantmaking, aside from the evaluation criteria published in this announcement, VA has discretion to remove from consideration any applicant VA deems does not clearly advance the President's or VA's priorities.
- VA will not fund activities that use racial preference for eligibility criteria or promote gender ideology.
- VA will not fund activities that promote or facilitate violations of immigration laws or are sources of waste, fraud, or abuse.
- VA will not tolerate activity or conduct by grant recipients that constitute acts of moral turpitude, are scandalous, or bring the recipient, the project funded by this grant, or VA into public disrepute, contempt, or ridicule.
These grants support the President's priority to increase the excellence of and options for care, benefits, and services for veterans, as demonstrated in Executive Order 14332.
Requirements
- A grant request can only be made by a state, territorial, or tribal government official and
- The title to the cemetery land must be vested in the state and
- The state must have written approval from VA of the final working drawings and specifications before the project is placed on the market for bidding and
- The law forbids retroactive approvals and
- The cemetery should consider a 50 year life span at minimum, however our program develops in 10 year increments, and
- The cemetery must have a 20 year life span at minimum
Federal Register, 38 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 39, Aid for the Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement, or Operation and Maintenance, of Veterans Cemeteries »
1
Review VCGP Background
Read about the grants program and scope, as well as applicant eligibility, funds availability, application guidelines, preapplication content, selection criteria, and the review process.
Learn about the grants program background »
2
Submit a Preapplication
Submit an online preapplication with Grants.gov for your cemetery. Only states, territories, federally recognized tribal governments and counties can use the Veterans Cemetery Grants program. Preapplications for any fiscal year must be sent by July 1 of that fiscal year, with some forms required by April 1.
View FY2026 priority list of grant preapplications »
Preapplication information
Please note before you begin:
- Only states, territories, federally recognized tribal governments and counties can use the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP).
- Following the Office of Federal Financial Management (OFFM) policy directive, electronic submissions are mandatory through Grants.gov.
- Preapplications for any fiscal year must be sent by July 1 of that fiscal year.
- Do not make multiple Submissions of same Preapplication through Grants.gov (i.e. revisions to scope/budget). Every submission creates a new Federal Application Identifier (FAI) Number for same project. Applicants must request in writing VCGP withdraw duplicate FAI numbers. Instead, after discussion with VCGP, email revised preapplications to VCGP@va.gov.
- Register with Grants.gov »
- Once registered, go to the Search Grants page on Grants.gov.
- Type "VA-NCA-VCGP-2025" in the Opportunity Number search field and click the Search button.
- Click on the "VA-NCA-VCGP-2025" link in the Search Results section.
- Review the SYNOPSIS, VERSION HISTORY, RELATED DOCUMENTS and PACKAGE tabs.
- Click the RELATED DOCUMENTS tab, then click the link to 38 CFR 39.31 Preapplication Requirements. Please include all assurances, supporting documentation and forms for a conforming preapplication described in §39.31 paragraphs (a) through (d).
- Note: There are two sets of forms to complete and send:
- Click the Apply button and login to Grants.gov.
- Note: Consider creating a Workspace, which allows a team or individual to access and edit different forms within the application. Applicants can also save and upload from their computer the needed forms and assurances for a conforming preapplication.
- Save and send your preapplication.
- Track the status of a completed Grant Opportunity Preapplication using CFDA Number (64.203) or Grants.gov Tracking Number.
Helpful Tips
⇒ All username ID and passwords are case sensitive.
⇒ If the Submit button is not active, check that you have:
- Completed all mandatory fields in all mandatory forms and moved them to the Mandatory Completed Documents for Submission box.
- Clicked the Save button after you have moved all documents to the Mandatory Completed Documents for Submission box.
- Completed all mandatory fields in all optional forms that you have moved to the Optional Completed Documents for Submission box.
- Closed all Internet browser windows.
Forms required by July 1
The following forms are required by July 1:
- Building Space Program analysis »
- Design development drawings and specifications
- Final drawings and specifications approved
- Form SF 424
- Form SF 424C
- Form SF 424D
- Letter from State or Tribal Government historical preservation officer
- Master Plan for facility approved »
- Phase I Environmental Survey
- Phase II Environmental Survey
- Project Narrative
- Schedule of remaining requirements
You will also need an Federal Application Identifier (FAI), a Unique Identity ID, the Governor's or Tribal Government's designation of authorized official, Governor's or Tribal Government's designation of contact person, and State or Tribal Government's legal authority to apply for the grant and finance and construct the proposed project (copy of the legislation).
Forms required by April 1
The following forms are required by April 1:
- Updated Form SF 424
- Updated Form SF 424C
- Updated Form SF 424D
- Updated schedule of when remaining requirements will be met
- VA notification to precede to bid the project to applicant
3
Review Grant Planning Model Overview
This planning model has information, data, resources and links for state, territorial and tribal officials, cemetery staff, design professionals, and other consultants to plan and estimate the design and construction of a state, territorial or tribal cemetery project.
View the grant planning model overview »
4
Submit an Application
To apply for a grant to establish, expand, improve, or operate and maintain a state, territorial, or tribal Veterans cemetery, applicants are required to submit an application request by July 15 of that fiscal year to the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program office of the National Cemetery Administration.
Application information
The following forms are required by July 15 for that FY Grant Award:
5
Payment of Grant Award
If your cemetery is VA grant-funded, learn how to register to receive payment. Also, learn about eligibility and how to apply for the Outer Burial Receptacle allowances (at the time of interment) and reimbursements (pre-placed).
Learn about payment information »
6
Post-Grant Award
Learn the post-grant award process for your cemetery, including which forms and documentation are required.
Post-Grant
- Submit a written request to the Director, Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (41C), 810 Vermont Ave, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20420, asking the Department of Veterans Affairs to schedule a final grant program review.
- Note: Include the name and telephone number of the local point of contact for the project.
- Submit the project equipment list. If there is no equipment involved in the grant, please make a statement to that effect in the request for a final grant program review.
- Add the following statement to the SF 271, Outlay Report and Request for Reimbursement for Construction Program, and add the statement to the Health and Human Services final reimbursement request:
- It is hereby agreed that the monetary commitment of the Federal Government will have been met and the project will be considered terminated upon payment of this voucher.
- Provide evidence that the grant Recipient has complied with the Single Audit Act requirements contained within 2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F "Audit Requirements." Also see 2 CFR 200 other multiple single audit requirements, 38 CFR 39.51(d), 38 CFR 39.101(d), and 38 CFR 39.122(a).
- Provide Final Master Plan, one copy for the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program and one copy for state cemetery, if appropriate.
- Provide As Built Drawings, one copy for the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program and one copy for state cemetery, if appropriate.
- Provide Custody and Transfer Receipt Final Release of Claims Final Invoice, one copy for the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, if appropriate.
- In accordance with 2 CFR 200, including but not limited to 2 CFR 200.302(a), the grant Recipient must provide a final grant reconciliation report, generated by the grant Recipient's financial accounting system, that definitively tracks all "expenditures to establish that funds have been used in accordance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award." To reduce administrative burden, the final grant reconciliation report can be any existing report contained within the grant Recipient's financial accounting system; provided the report provides the necessary detail to ensure compliance with 2 CFR 200 Financial Management requirements.
Note: The final payment will be authorized when all closeout requirements are met.
VA Form 40-0895-13 »
VCGP Post Master Plan Project Close-Out »
