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

April 16, 2026

$75,000–$300,000 per award; ~36 months; total program funding ~$3.8M

Supports development, implementation, and sustainability of food animal veterinary services and workforce training to address veterinary shortages in the U.S. and Insular Areas.

--- ## Description This program funds projects that address veterinary service shortages in rural and underserved areas across the United States and Insular Areas. The goal is to develop, implement, and sustain food animal veterinary services and workforce capacity, ensuring food safety, animal health, and public health in agricultural communities. The program supports two tracks: Education, Extension, and Training (EET) for workforce development, and Rural Practice Enhancement (RPE) for supporting or expanding rural veterinary practices. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: April 16, 2026 (5:00 PM Eastern Time) --- ## Funding Amount - Total estimated program funding: $3,809,708 - Award size: - EET: up to $300,000 per award (36 months) - RPE: up to $200,000 per award (36 months) - Minimum award: $75,000 - No cost-sharing or matching required --- ## Eligibility ### For Education, Extension, and Training (EET) Grants: - State, regional, or national organizations supporting food animal veterinary programs - Allied/professional food animal veterinary organizations recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) - AVMA-accredited colleges or schools of veterinary medicine - University research 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 U.S. entities (e.g., veterinary clinics/hospitals) providing mixed, food, or large animal veterinary services in rural, designated shortage areas - Clinics/hospitals must serve a current VMLRP shortage area and meet rural definitions per USDA guidelines - Clinics employing a current VMLRP awardee with an active service agreement - Only clinics (not individuals) may apply; one application per clinic per year; no duplicate submissions --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361158) (opportunity number: USDA-NIFA-VSGP-011778). - Register for a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) via SAM.gov at least five weeks before the deadline. - Prepare required forms, project narrative, budget, data management plan, and (if applicable) letters of commitment. - Follow all instructions in the Notice of Funding Opportunity ([NOFO PDF](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/FY26-VSGP-NOFO-P.pdf)). --- ## Additional Information - Indirect costs for EET grants are capped at 30% of total federal funds; RPE grants do not allow indirect costs. - Grant funds may not be used for construction, building acquisition, or major renovations. - All applications are peer-reviewed based on relevance, technical merit, achievability, and expertise (see NOFO for detailed criteria). - Projects must address veterinary shortages and support food animal health, food safety, and rural public health. - Previously funded projects and shortage area maps are available on the [program page](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program). --- ## External Links - [Veterinary Services Grant Program – NIFA](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program) - [Full NOFO (PDF)](https://api.atomgrants.com/storage/v1/object/public/grants3-sources/FY26-VSGP-NOFO-P.pdf) - [Grants.gov Opportunity Listing](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361158) - [VSGP Applicant Resources](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program/vsgp-applicants) - [Veterinarian Shortage Situations Map](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program/veterinarian-shortage-situations) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/grants/programs/veterinary-services-grant-program/frequently-asked-questions-veterinary-services-grant-program) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General/Programmatic | [vsgp@usda.gov](mailto:vsgp@usda.gov) | | Application/Technical Help | [grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov](mailto:grantapplicationquestions@usda.gov)
(Mon–Fri, 7am–5pm ET)| | Grants.gov Support | support@grants.gov
1-800-518-4726 | | NIFA Contact Page | [Contact NIFA](https://www.nifa.usda.gov/contact-us) | ---

Veterinary Services Grant Program

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