VA-SPORTS-21: Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces (Adaptive Sports Grant Program)
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of National Veterans Sports Programs notices from 2021.
National Veterans Sports Programs offered grants of up to $750,000 to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. It expected to make $16.0 million in total. Applications closed on March 31, 2021.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed January 29, 2021. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$750,000
- Total funding$16.0 million
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | January 29, 2021 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | March 31, 2021 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | October 1, 2021 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.
All 15 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Eligible applicants must qualify as a non-Federal Government entity with significant experience in managing a large-scale adaptive sports program for persons with disabilities if those disabilities are those that disabled Veterans and disabled members of the Armed Forces may have.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past VA Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces awards averaged $138,512; this notice allows up to $750,000 per award.
- Most of the program's money (93% over five years) went to nonprofits.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The Adaptive Sports Grant Program provides grants to eligible adaptive sports entities to plan, develop, manage, and implement programs to provide adaptive sports activities for Veterans and members of the Armed Forces with disabilities. For the purpose of this program, adaptive sports activities include: (1) instruction, participation, and competition in adaptive sports; (2) training and technical assistance to program administrators, coaches, recreation therapists, instructors, VA employees, and other appropriate individuals; (3) coordination, Paralympic classification of athletes, athlete assessment, sport-specific training techniques, program development (including programs at the local level), sports equipment, supplies, program evaluation, and other activities related to the implementation and operation of the program. The primary goal for this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to ensure that appropriate levels of resources are provided to eligible adaptive sports entities with capabilities that are well-suited to meet the needs and priorities for Veterans with disabilities and members of the Armed Forces with disabilities. This NOFO announces the availability of up to sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) for initial grants to provide adaptive sports activities under the Adaptive Sports Grant Program to Veterans, and members of the Armed Forces, with disabilities. Up to $1,500,000 will be awarded for proposals providing equine therapy targeted for Veterans and members of the Armed Forces with disabilities related to mental health issues. Review the full NOFO and VA Adaptive Sports Grant Program webpage (https://www.blogs.va.gov/nvspse/grant-program/) for further details regarding this opportunity.
Who has won VA Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, VA Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces (64.034) awarded $65.5 million across 473 grant awards, an average of $138,512 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Move United | Maryland | 11 | $5.6 million |
| Adaptive Adventures | Colorado | 6 | $4.0 million |
| Higher Ground USA, Inc. | Idaho | 6 | $3.4 million |
| Bridge II Sports | North Carolina | 8 | $2.1 million |
| Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, Inc. | Maryland | 5 | $2.0 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is VA-SPORTS-21 still open?
No. It closed on March 31, 2021.
Who can apply for Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces (Adaptive Sports Grant Program)?
National Veterans Sports Programs accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces (Adaptive Sports Grant Program)?
Closed March 31, 2021. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $750,000 each. About $16.0 million in total.
Who has won VA Grants for Adaptive Sports Programs for Disabled Veterans and Disabled Members of the Armed Forces grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Move United, Adaptive Adventures, Higher Ground USA, Inc. The program made 473 awards worth $65.5 million in that time.
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