Veterans Cemetery Grants Program
The VA Veterans Cemetery Grants Program funds state, territory, county, and tribal governments to build, expand, or improve veterans' cemeteries where national coverage is lacking.
Funder: Department of Veterans Affairs
Due Dates: July 1, 2026 (Pre-application) | July 15, 2026 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $60,000,000 per award; typical awards range from ~$650,000 to $16.7M; total program funding estimated at $77M (FY25), $164M (FY26).
Summary: Supports states, territories, counties, and federally recognized tribes in establishing, expanding, or improving veterans' cemeteries where national coverage is insufficient.
Key Information: Matching funds required (generally 10% for A&E fees); only government entities (not private/nonprofit) are eligible.
Description
The Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration, provides financial assistance to states, U.S. territories, eligible counties, and federally recognized tribal governments to establish, expand, or improve veterans' cemeteries. The program aims to ensure that veterans and their eligible family members have dignified burial options in areas where national cemeteries do not fully meet burial needs. Since its inception, the program has funded the construction, expansion, or improvement of over 120 veterans' cemeteries across the United States and its territories.
Eligible projects include the construction of new cemeteries, expansion of existing facilities, and improvements to meet VA standards. The program funds up to 100% of development costs for approved projects (excluding land acquisition), and projects must comply with federal construction and procurement requirements, including the Build America, Buy America Act.
