Opportunity Information: Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008118
The Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program (often referred to as AgVets) is a USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) discretionary grant opportunity designed to expand and strengthen training pipelines that help U.S. military veterans move into careers in farming, ranching, and other parts of the food and agricultural sector. The central goal is to increase the number of veterans who gain practical knowledge and job-ready skills through comprehensive, hands-on, immersive instruction delivered through regional model farm and ranch programs. The opportunity is built around the idea that veterans benefit from structured, real-world learning environments that combine classroom education with onsite experience, ultimately leading to better preparedness to operate or manage successful agricultural enterprises. By supporting clear pathways into agriculture for veterans of different ages and interests, the program also aims to bolster agricultural production and rural economic resilience across the country.
Funded projects are expected to offer robust training that reflects the realities of modern farm and ranch operations. This includes hands-on instruction and classroom-based learning that together provide a well-rounded understanding of operational and management practices, not just basic production tasks. In addition to training aimed at farm or ranch ownership and management, projects may also incorporate workforce readiness components and employment connections, including opportunities tailored to service-disabled veterans. The emphasis is on comprehensive preparation, meaning grantees should be positioned to deliver immersive experiences that help veterans build competence, confidence, and a credible route to employment or self-employment in agriculture.
Eligibility is limited to nonprofit entities. Applicants must document their nonprofit status by attaching a letter confirming that status in the application (specifically as an attachment in Field 12, Other Attachments). Only the applicant organization must meet the eligibility requirement; partners and collaborators do not have to be eligible entities themselves. Award recipients are allowed to subcontract with organizations that would not be eligible to apply directly, as long as those subcontractors are needed to carry out the project successfully. Applications from individuals are not eligible under any category for this program, which keeps the focus on organizational capacity to run structured training programs.
For organizations that cannot accept federal funds directly, the program allows the use of a fiscal agent. In that case, the application must include a letter stating that any awarded funds will be administered through a named fiscal agent on the applicant's behalf. The fiscal agent must be identified in the letter, and the letter must also be countersigned by an authorized representative of the fiscal agent organization. The letter needs to include basic contact information for the fiscal agent, including a point of contact, address, telephone number, fax number, and email address, and it must be submitted as part of the Other Attachments. If the proposal is recommended for funding, NIFA will require management information from both the applicant organization and the fiscal agent as part of the award process.
The solicitation also makes clear that meeting all stated requirements by the application deadline matters. Failure to satisfy eligibility criteria by the deadline can lead to the application being excluded from consideration or prevent NIFA from making an award even if the application is reviewed. Another key administrative rule is that duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed; if an applicant submits more than one application, NIFA will disqualify both. For organizations newer to federal funding, NIFA points applicants to its grants overview resources to help them understand the federal financial assistance process and avoid common compliance issues.
From the source details provided, the opportunity is listed as USDA NIFA OP 008118, under CFDA 10.334, with an original closing date of March 23, 2021. The award ceiling is listed as $250,000. The funding instrument is a grant, the activity category is agriculture, and the eligible applicant type is categorized broadly as "Others," with the narrative clarifying that this means nonprofit entities.Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008118
- The National Institute of Food and Agriculture in the agriculture sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Enhancing Agricultural Opportunities for Military Veterans Competitive Grants Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 10.334.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-01-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-23. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Browse more opportunities from the same agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Agriculture
Next opportunity: Children, Youth and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects
Previous opportunity: NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008118
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (USDA NIFA OP 008118) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP) Apply for USDA NIFA FASLP 007992 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FASLP 007992 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Education and Workforce Development Program Apply for USDA NIFA AFRI 008121 Funding Number: USDA NIFA AFRI 008121 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| 1890 Institution Teaching, Research and Extension Capacity Building Grants (CBG) Program Apply for USDA NIFA CBGP 008120 Funding Number: USDA NIFA CBGP 008120 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Children, Youth and Families At-Risk Sustainable Community Projects Apply for USDA NIFA SLBCD 007972 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SLBCD 007972 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $280,000 |
| Food Safety Outreach Competitive Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA FSMA 008138 Funding Number: USDA NIFA FSMA 008138 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Equipment Grants Program Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008139 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 008139 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Alfalfa Forage Research Program (AFRP) Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008140 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 008140 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| RFI - Soybean Value Chain Research Innovation Lab Apply for USAID RFI SOYBEAN Funding Number: USAID RFI SOYBEAN Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Resiliência Integrada na Nutrição e Agricultura (RESINA) Apply for 72065621 RFI RESINA Funding Number: 72065621 RFI RESINA Agency: Mozambique USAID-Maputo Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $29,500,000 |
| FY21 Tribal Nations Wild Cervid CWD Opportunities Apply for USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 21 0009 Funding Number: USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 21 0009 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY21 Farmed Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities Apply for USDA APHIS 10025 VSSPRS00 21 0108 Funding Number: USDA APHIS 10025 VSSPRS00 21 0108 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY21 Wild Cervid CWD Management and Response Activities Apply for USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 21 0008 Funding Number: USDA APHIS 10028 WSNWRC00 21 0008 Agency: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Soybean Value Chain Research Apply for 7200AA21RFA00018 Funding Number: 7200AA21RFA00018 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $30,000,000 |
| Animal Health Systems Facilitating Trade within the African Union Apply for USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 21 0026 Funding Number: USDA FAS 10960 0700 10 21 0026 Agency: Global Programs Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FARM OF THE FUTURE Apply for USDA NIFA OP 008501 Funding Number: USDA NIFA OP 008501 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $3,936,000 |
| Agricultural Water Use Efficiency Grants for Fiscal Years 2021 and 2022 - Fostering District and Farmer Water Saving Partnerships Apply for R21AS00553 Funding Number: R21AS00553 Agency: Bureau of Reclamation Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase I Apply for USDA NIFA SBIR 008541 Funding Number: USDA NIFA SBIR 008541 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $181,500 |
| Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions Apply for USDA NIFA 1890COE 008561 Funding Number: USDA NIFA 1890COE 008561 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Capacity Building Grants for Non-Land Grant Colleges of Agriculture Program Apply for USDA NIFA NLGCA 008581 Funding Number: USDA NIFA NLGCA 008581 Agency: National Institute of Food and Agriculture Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Guinea Local Works Program Apply for RFI 675 21 04 Funding Number: RFI 675 21 04 Agency: Guinea USAID-Conakry Category: Agriculture Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "USDA NIFA OP 008118", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.