# National Guard ChalleNGe Program (12.404)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/programs/12-404-national-guard-challenge-program/  
Publisher: Well Told Grants. Data: USAspending.gov and Grants.gov, updated November 7, 2026.

National Guard ChalleNGe Program is run by Department of Defense. From fiscal 2021 to 2025 it awarded $929 million in 274 grants, about $3.4 million per award.

## Objectives

This is a non discretionary program. The Secretary of Defense, acting through the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, has authorized the conduct of this Program, and the use of the National Guard to provide military-based training, including supervised work experience in service to the community and conservation projects, for civilian youth who are credit deficient and/or cease to attend secondary school before graduating so as to improve the life skills and employment potential of such youth.

## Funding by fiscal year

| Year | Amount | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $150 million | 57 |
| 2022 | $196 million | 69 |
| 2023 | $219 million | 69 |
| 2024 | $177 million | 52 |
| 2025 | $188 million | 54 |

## Largest recipients

| Recipient | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California Military Department | California | $89.6 million |
| Department of Military Affairs Louisiana | Louisiana | $82.0 million |
| West Virginia Adjutant General | West Virginia | $49.6 million |
| Military Department of the State of Oklahoma | Oklahoma | $42.7 million |
| State of Georgia | Georgia | $36.8 million |
| Department of Defense Georgia | Georgia | $36.3 million |
| North Carolina Department of Public Safety | North Carolina | $34.7 million |
| Military & Vet Affairs Dept | Michigan | $33.3 million |
| Alaska Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs | Alaska | $32.9 million |
| Department of Military Affairs | New Mexico | $29.3 million |
| Illinois Department of Military Affairs | Illinois | $27.9 million |
| Military Department, Washington State | Washington | $27.4 million |
| Department of Military Affairs Wisconsin | Wisconsin | $26.2 million |
| National Guard Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico | $25.6 million |
| State of Idaho Military Division | Idaho | $25.5 million |
| Pennsylvania Department of Military & Veterans Affairs | Pennsylvania | $22.4 million |
| Texas Military Department | Texas | $22.0 million |
| Department of Military Florida | Florida | $22.0 million |
| Kentucky Department of Military Affairs | Kentucky | $21.7 million |
| Virginia Department of Military Affairs | Virginia | $21.3 million |