Announcement of Stand Down Grants

Key facts

Funder

Veterans Employment and Training Service

Application deadline

September 30, 2026

Award range

$10K

Eligibility

See VPL 01-23 Section IV for the list of eligible applicants. Faith-based organizations are encouraged to apply, as are all organizations. Those that meet the eligibility requirements may receive awards under this announcement. DOL will not, in the selection of recipients and administration of the grant, discriminate on the basis of an organization's religious character, affiliation, exercise, or lack thereof, or on the basis of conduct that would not be considered grounds to favor or disfavor a similarly situated secular organization. State, Territory, and Possession, county, city, local, special district, and Native American tribal governments and agencies, non-profit and for-profit entities, state and local workforce boards, institutions of higher education, public and tribal housing authorities are eligible to apply. Note: Organizations registered with the Internal Revenue Service as 501(c)(4) entities are ineligible to apply for this funding opportunity.

Geography

United States

Focus areas

Workforce Development

Opportunity number

VPL-01-23

Program overview

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) supports local Stand Down events that assist veterans experiencing homelessness by providing a wide range of employment, social, and health services. Stand Down is a military term referring to an opportunity to achieve a brief respite from combat. Troops assemble in a base camp to receive new clothing, hot food, support services, and a relative degree of safety before returning to combat action. A DOL VETS-funded Stand Down event serves a similar purpose; however, it is intended for veterans experiencing or at-risk of homelessness. The critical services provided at these events are often the catalyst that enables those individuals to reenter the workforce. VETS awards these noncompetitive grants on a first-come, first-served basis to support one-day or multi-day events at up to $7,000 or $10,000, respectively. They are collaborative events coordinated between VA, DOL, other federal, state, and local government agencies and community-based organizations providing services and supplies to veterans experiencing and at risk of homelessness. In the event of a federal disaster declaration, VETS will accept applications up to $50,000 to conduct Stand Down events in the impacted areas. VETS awards Stand Down grants subject to the availability of federal funding. All costs incurred by the award recipient prior to the period of performance start date identified in the Notice of Award issued by the Department are incurred at the recipient’s own expense.

How to apply

1. Confirm your organization meets the eligibility criteria above.
2. Read the full funding opportunity announcement from Veterans Employment and Training Service.
3. Draft your narrative against the funder's stated priorities and review criteria.
4. Submit before September 30, 2026, allowing time for registration and validation.

View the official funding announcement

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