Veterans Cemetery Grants Program
To assist States and federally recognized tribal governments in the establishment, expansion, and improvement of veterans' cemeteries.
General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
64.203
Federal Agency/Office
National Cemetery System, Department of Veterans Affairs
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2015 To date the program has awarded more than $664 million dollars to establish, expand, or improve 104 state and tribal government cemeteries in 47 states and territories (including Guam and Saipan).
Fiscal Year 2016 To date the program has awarded more than $664 million dollars to establish, expand, or improve 104 state and tribal government cemeteries in 47 states and territories (including Guam and Saipan).
Fiscal Year 2017 To date the program has awarded more than $664 million dollars to establish, expand, or improve 104 state and tribal government cemeteries in 47 states and territories (including Guam and Saipan).
Authorization
Veterans Housing Benefits Act of 1978, Section 202, 38 U.S.C. 2408
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Any State may apply. Any federal recognized tribal government
Beneficiary Eligibility
The cemetery must be used solely for the interment of veterans, their wives, husbands, surviving spouses, minor children, and unmarried adult children who were physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self support: section 38 CFR Part 38.620.
Credentials/Documentation
..OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this listing. An environmental impact assessment is required for this listing. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Preapplication coordination is required. An environmental impact statement is required for this program. An environmental impact assessment is required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Submit Standard Form 424, "Application for Federal Assistance for Construction Programs," with attachments, to the Director, Veterans Cemetery Grants Service (40A3), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20420.
Award Procedure
Formal notification of the award to the State or Tribal Government is made by the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, National Cemetery Administration.
Deadlines
July 1, 2017 A deadline of July 1st is established for the filing of applications in the year prior to the fiscal year in which funding is requested. A deadline of July 1st is established for the filing of applications in the year prior to the fiscal year in which funding is requested.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 30 to 60 days. From 30 to 60 days.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Not applicable.
How are proposals selected?
Applications are prioritized and ranked with other projects in the order received. The priority system consists of four groups or categories. Examples: The extent to which States and tribal governments have adequate funds to initiate and complete the design process required for approval for the grant program, and the extent to which a project involves additional gravesites necessary to keep the cemetery open.
How may assistance be used?
Monetary assistance is provided under this program to establish, expand, and improve State or Tribal government veterans’ cemeteries. Cemeteries must be State or Tribal Government owned and operated solely for the interment of eligible veterans and their dependents and/or spouses. Construction cost means the amount found necessary to convert a tract of land to an operational cemetery.
*Tribal Government refers to the 565 federally recognized tribal governments.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.
Records
Financial records, supporting documents, statistical records and all other records pertinent to a grant shall be retained for a period of three years. If any claim or audit is started before the expiration of the three year period, the records shall be retained until all litigation, claims or audit findings involving the records have been resolved.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Funds are provided by electronic transfer of funds and must be used within 3 years. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Lump.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
George D. Eisenbach, Jr.
810 Vermont Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20420 US
Phone: 202-632-7369
Website Address
http://www.va.gov
Financial Information
Account Identification
36-0183-0-1-703
Obligations
(Project Grants) FY 17 Estimate Not Available FY 15$46,678,221.00; FY 16 Estimate Not Available
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Range of Financial Assistance from 1980 $2,897 to 14,000,000
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
VA Regulations 38 CFR Parts 39 and 43, State Cemetery Grant Program and "Federal Assistance for Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement of State Veterans' Cemeteries (State Cemetery Grants Program)" (VA Pamphlet 40-96).
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2017 Funded projects include a flag assembly area, roads, entry way, burial areas, landscaping and irrigation
Fiscal Year 2016 Funded projects include a flag assembly area, roads, entry way, burial areas, landscaping and irrigation
Fiscal Year 2015 Funded projects include a flag assembly area, roads, entry way, burial areas, landscaping and irrigation