Beginning Oct. 19 and running through September 30, 2016, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will be authorized to provide grants of up to $200,000 per fiscal year to persons or entities for development of specially adapted housing assistive technologies.
As funds become available, a Notice of Funds Availability (NoFA) will be published in the Federal Register. The NoFA will provide information on the grant requirements and application process, including application deadlines. No more than $1 million in grants may be awarded in any fiscal year. Applications are submitted to the Department of Veterans Affairs via www.Grants.gov.
Grant applications for the new assistive technology will be scored on the following:
- how it is innovative
- how it will meet a specific, unmet need
- how it is specifically designed to promote independent living
- the concept, size and scope
- implementation plan for production and market
- characteristics of the grant applicant such as economic reliability, minority status, veteran-owned business
- information about how the applicant will protect the interests or further the mission of the VA
The Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology grant is not a veterans benefit. The decisions by the VA are final and are not subject to appeal rights afforded veterans’ benefits. The VA does not have a duty to assist applicants.
Veterans’ Benefits Act of 2010, Public Law 111-275, section 203, 124 Stat. 2874 (2010) amended 38 USC 21 to establish this grant program. The regulation is 38 CFR 36.4412 Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology Grant Program.