National Guard ChalleNGe Program (12.404)
National Guard ChalleNGe Program (Assistance Listing 12.404) is run by the Department of the Army, part of the Department of Defense. It awarded $929 million in 274 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $3.4 million per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $3.6 million. Half of the 274 awards fell between $966,733 and $4.8 million, and they ranged from $5,883 to $32.3 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$929 million
- Grant awards274
- Typical award$3.6 million
- Awarded in FY 2025$188 million
- Size rank271 of 1824
- Type of assistanceFormula grants
Key findings
- Annual funding rose from $150 million in fiscal 2021 to $188 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 271st largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 76% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 37 states and territories.
What the program funds
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.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
This is a non-discretionary program. The Secretary of Defense shall provide for the conduct of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in such States and U.S. territories and possessions as the Secretary considers to be appropriate.
What the money can and cannot pay for
This is a non-discretionary program. To carry out the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in a State, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam or the District of Columbia, the Secretary of Defense shall enter into an agreement with the Governor of the State, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Guam, or, in the case of the District of Columbia, with the commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard, under which the Governor or the commanding general will establish, organize, and administer the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program in the State. The agreement may provide for the Secretary to provide funds to the recipient for costs associated with the management of the program to include but not limited to such costs as civilian personnel costs attributable to the use of civilian employees of the National Guard. facilities maintenance and upkeep. etc. in the conduct of the National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program. This is a non discretionary program. NGB Youth ChalleNGe Cooperative Agreements are Congressionally directed assistance to the 50 States, District of Columbia, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, and Guam National Guard. Additional restrictions are listed in the terms and conditions of each specific Cooperative Agreement Award.;
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. NGB is authorized to contribute assistance in the form of Federal funds to the Recipient for authorized activities under this award. NGB will provide 75% cost share support within our funding limitations. The Federal/Non-Federal cost share amount is indicated in Division I, Section 19 of this CA Award.MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Deadlines
Deadlines do not apply Not available.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
$2 M - $7 M awards
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2026: Provide military-based training, including supervised work experience in community service and conservation projects, to civilian youth who cease to attend secondary school after graduating so as to improve the life skills and employment potential of such youth.
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, National Guard ChalleNGe Program (12.404) awarded$929 million across 274 grant awards, an average of $3.4 million per award.
Who usually wins
Almost all of the money went to state and local governments.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| State and local governments | 273 | $927 million | 100% |
| Other | 1 | $2.0 million | 0.2% |
By state
35 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 17 | $89.6 million |
| Louisiana | 20 | $82.0 million |
| Georgia | 13 | $73.2 million |
| West Virginia | 15 | $49.6 million |
| Oklahoma | 19 | $42.7 million |
| Kentucky | 10 | $40.4 million |
| North Carolina | 8 | $34.7 million |
| Michigan | 7 | $33.3 million |
| Alaska | 5 | $32.9 million |
| New Mexico | 9 | $29.3 million |
| Illinois | 5 | $27.9 million |
| Washington | 5 | $27.4 million |
| Hawaii | 14 | $26.5 million |
| Wisconsin | 8 | $26.2 million |
| Puerto Rico | 7 | $25.6 million |
| Idaho | 9 | $25.5 million |
| Pennsylvania | 5 | $22.4 million |
| Texas | 10 | $22.0 million |
| Florida | 7 | $22.0 million |
| Virginia | 7 | $21.3 million |
| Oregon | 6 | $18.8 million |
| Indiana | 7 | $18.6 million |
| South Carolina | 6 | $18.4 million |
| Maryland | 6 | $17.4 million |
| Mississippi | 3 | $16.3 million |
| Nevada | 7 | $14.9 million |
| New Jersey | 5 | $13.0 million |
| Montana | 3 | $11.5 million |
| Arkansas | 4 | $10.3 million |
| District of Columbia | 5 | $9.6 million |
| Kansas | 3 | $7.8 million |
| South Dakota | 7 | $6.5 million |
| Wyoming | 4 | $4.0 million |
| Minnesota | 3 | $3.7 million |
| Connecticut | 3 | $2.7 million |
| Vermont | 1 | $785,825 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $583,771 |