Veterans Cemetery Grants Program - National Cemetery Administration

Veterans Cemetery Grants Program - National Cemetery Administration
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Veterans Cemetery Grants

Veterans Cemetery Grants Program
National Cemetery Administration
Veterans Cemetery Grants Program
NCA
» VCGP
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Cemetery Grants Program was established in 1978 to complement VA's national cemeteries. The program assists states, territories, and tribal governments in providing gravesites for Veterans in those areas where NCA cannot fully satisfy their burial needs.
Since 1980, VCGP has awarded 525 grants totaling $1.87 billion that 47 states, 14 tribal nations, and 3 territories (Guam, Saipan, and Puerto Rico) to establish, expand, improve, operate or maintain a total of 124 Veterans' cemeteries. In 2025, VA grant-funded cemeteries interred 43,705 Veterans and eligible family members, which was more than 25% of the 174,398 total annual interments in all national, state, tribal, and territory cemeteries.
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All Nations Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Yates, ND
View FY2026 priority list of grant construction preapplications »
In 2025, VCGP established two new state cemeteries, the New York State Veterans Cemetery - Finger Lakes in New York and the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Grand Island in Nebraska, bringing the total to 124 VA grant-funded Veterans cemeteries. These two cemeteries provide burial options to an additional 24,907 unserved Veterans and their eligible family members. In March 2026, a state Veterans' cemetery is expected to open in Lubbock, Texas. Once completed, this cemetery will provide access to 19,923 Veterans who were previously unserved and will become the 125
th
VA grant-funded Veterans Cemetery.
Find a Veterans cemetery »
Grants may be used only to establish, expand or improve Veterans cemeteries that are owned and operated by a state, territory or tribal government on trust land. Aid is granted only to states, U.S. territories and federally recognized tribal governments; not to private organizations, counties, cities or other government agencies.
VA can provide up to 100 percent of the development cost for an approved project. For establishment of new cemeteries, VA can provide for operating equipment as well. VA cannot pay for acquisition of land.
Cemeteries funded under the grant program must conform to the standards and guidelines pertaining to site selection, planning and construction prescribed by VA.
Cemeteries must be operated solely for the interment of Veterans (as defined in 38 CFR part 39.2), and their eligible family members (see 38 CFR part 39.10).
The administration, operation, and maintenance of a VA-supported state cemetery is solely the responsibility of the state, territory or tribal government.
VCGP Grants Process
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 »
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 »
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
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-2026
" in the Opportunity Number search field and click the
button.
Click on the "
VA-NCA-VCGP-2026
" 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:
Download editable Veterans Cemetery Grants Forms
Download editable SF-424 Family and Budget Narrative Attachment Forms
(these forms are also available on the
PACKAGE
tab).
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
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
Schematic drawings
State Clearinghouse Comments or Tribal Government Comments
Title to the State or Tribal Government Cemetery Property
Updated Form SF 424
Updated Form SF 424C
VA Form 40-0895-2
VA Form 40-0895-6
VA Form 40-0895-7
VA Form 40-0895-8
VA Form 40-0895-9
VA Form 40-0895-15
VA Receipt Notification Letter to Applicant
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).
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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 »
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:
Advertisements for bids
Bid tabulations
VA Form 40-0895-10
Final application SF 424, based on bids and consistent with 424C
Revised 424C based on bids
VA Form 40-0895-12
After completion of the preapplication, your submission moved to the application phase. VA approval will be determined after bid tabulations and cost estimates are approved. In the application phase, approvals are evaluated using the
Federal Register, 38 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 39, Aid for the Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement, or Operation and Maintenance, of Veterans Cemeteries
requirements. If the application is approved, the grant will be awarded by a Memorandum of Agreement of Federal grant funds. For current grantees that need additional information, contact your VCGP team liaison member(s).
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 »
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 »
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VA Forms for VCGP
VA Form 40-0895-2
Certification of Compliance With Provisions of the Davis-Bacon Act
VA Form 40-0895-3
State or Tribal Government Cemetery Grants Service Space Program Analysis-Building
VA Form 40-0895-6
Certification of State or Tribal Government Matching Architectural and Engineering Funds to qualify for Group 1 on the Priority List
VA Form 40-0895-7
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and other, Responsibility Matters - Primary Covered Transactions (State)
VA Form 40-0895-8
Certification Regarding Drug-Free Workplace Requirements for Grantees other than Individuals
VA Form 40-0895-9
Certification Regarding Lobbying
VA Form 40-0895-10
Certification of Compliance with Federal Requirements State or Tribal Government Construction Grant
VA Form 40-0895-12
Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, and Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion-Lower Tier Covered Transactions
VA Form 40-0895-13
Certification Regarding Documents and Information required for State Cemetery Construction and Acquisition Grants - Post Grant Requirements
VA Form 40-0895-14
Checklist of Major Requirements for State or Tribal Government Cemetery Construction Grants
VA Form 40-0895-15
Certification of Cemetery Maintained in Accordance With National Cemetery Administration Standards
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