[National Institute of Food and Agriculture](https://www.nifa.usda.gov)

April 16, 2026

$75,000–$300,000 per award; total estimated program funding: $11,309,708

Supports development, implementation, and sustainability of food animal veterinary services and education to address veterinary shortage situations, especially in rural areas.

No cost sharing or matching required.

--- ## Description The program aims to relieve veterinary shortage situations and enhance veterinary services, particularly for food animals in rural and underserved areas of the United States. It funds two main types of projects: Education, Extension, and Training (EET) to develop and sustain the veterinary workforce, and Rural Practice Enhancement (RPE) to establish or expand veterinary practices in rural shortage areas. The initiative is designed to improve food safety, animal health, and public health by supporting recruitment, training, and retention of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. --- ## Due Dates - April 16, 2026: Full application deadline --- ## Funding Amount - Individual awards range from $75,000 to $300,000. - Estimated total program funding: $11,309,708. - No cost sharing or matching is required. --- ## Eligibility Eligibility varies by grant type: ### For Education, Extension, and Training (EET) Grants: - State, regional, or national organizations supporting food animal veterinary programs - Allied or professional food animal veterinary organizations recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association - Colleges or schools of veterinary medicine (AVMA-accredited) - University or veterinary medical foundations - Departments of veterinary science or comparative medicine (accredited by the U.S. Department of Education) - State agricultural experiment stations or 1890 Research Farms - State, local, or tribal government agencies ### For Rural Practice Enhancement (RPE) Grants: - For-profit or nonprofit veterinary clinics/hospitals in the U.S. or Insular Areas providing mixed, food, or large animal services in a rural, VMLRP-designated shortage area - Clinics employing a current VMLRP awardee (must retain them for the grant duration) - Only clinics (not individuals) may apply; only one application per clinic per cycle --- ## Application Process - Review the [Veterinary Services Grant Program NOFO](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/veterinary-services-grant-program-nofo) for detailed instructions. - Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov by the posted deadline. - Multiple submissions are allowed for EET (by different departments), but only one award per institution per year. - RPE clinics cannot submit duplicate or multiple applications; both will be disqualified. - For those new to federal grants, consult [NIFA’s About Grants](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/about-nifa) for guidance. --- ## Additional Information - The program is authorized by the National Veterinary Medical Services Act and the 2014 Farm Bill. - For information on veterinary shortage areas, see [Veterinarian Shortage Situations](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program/veterinarian-shortage-situations). - Related support is available through the [Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/program/veterinary-medicine-loan-repayment-program). --- ## External Links - [Program Overview & Resources](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program) - [NOFO & Application Instructions](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/funding-opportunities/veterinary-services-grant-program-nofo) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program/frequently-asked-questions-veterinary-services-grant-program) - [Veterinarian Shortage Situations Map](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program/veterinarian-shortage-situations) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Title | Email | Phone | More Info | |---------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------|---------------------------------------| | NIFA Support | [grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov](mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov) | (202)-720-2791 | [NIFA Contact Page](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/contact-us) | | Michelle Colby, DVM | [vsgp@usda.gov](mailto:vsgp@usda.gov) | — | [Contact Profile](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/contact-us/michelle-colby) |

Veterinary Services Grant Program

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