52 non-dilutive grants, pitch competition prizes, and cash awards for U.S. military veteran founders. Every entry has verified eligibility criteria, deadline structure, and award range.
Sorted alphabetically. Filter by path, stage, or spouse eligibility on the full program library.
Time:30-80 hours (Letter of Inquiry + full proposal if invited)
Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
Funding:Non-Dilutive GrantNon-dilutive
Delivery:Remote
Academic:Light
501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving post-9/11 veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers. Programs must address employment, education, mental health, rehabilitation, financial resilience, or peer recovery. Applicants typically have $200K-$5M operating budgets, at least one operating year, and evidence of outcomes.
Grants range from $50,000 to $500,000 depending on initiative. Standing Together and Peer Recovery track grants typically $50K-$300K; special initiatives (Financial Independence, Rebuild Careers, etc.) can go higher. Multi-year commitments possible for proven programs.
Multiple annual cycles + rolling special initiatives · Standing Together cycle: LOI due late Q1; invited proposals due Q2. Special initiatives announced quarterly. Watch bobwoodrufffoundation.org/programs/grants.
Military-connected business owners, entrepreneurs, startups, decision-makers, and anyone interested in starting or growing military-connected small businesses. Open to vets, spouses, families, and civilians who support the mission.
3-day conference with panels, expo, networking; access to Small Business of the Year Award; John Maxwell Live2Lead simulcast on Day 3
Annual conference · October 7-9, 2026 (Arlington, TX). Registration open.
Dog Tag Inc. in partnership with Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies
BLUF
Time:500-700 hours (5-month full-time fellowship)
Admittance:Application + Eligibility-Based
Funding:In-Kind, Prize MoneyNon-dilutive
Delivery:In-Person
Academic:Strong
Post-9/11 veterans with VA service-connected disabilities, military spouses, caregivers, transitioning service members, and Guard and Reserve members.
5-month fellowship, monthly stipend, all program costs covered, plus a Certificate in Business Administration from Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies (SCS). Hands-on business operations experience via Dog Tag Bakery in Georgetown, DC.
Multiple cohorts per year (typically Fall and Spring) · Check dogtaginc.org/pages/our-program for the current cohort application window.
Veterans transitioning into agriculture careers. FVC membership required. Suitable for those seeking hands-on farming skills before starting their own operation.
Structured apprenticeship placement with mentor farms plus wage during training period
Rolling · Rolling. Contact FVC for current placements.
Time:3-6 hours (application) + program time if selected
Admittance:Application + Committee Selection
Funding:Grant, In-KindNon-dilutive
Delivery:Remote
Academic:Moderate
U.S. military veteran who is CEO, president, or owner of an active U.S.-based business. Minimum 1 year in business, between 2 and 100 employees, annual revenue not exceeding $5M.
$20,000 total fund awarded as twenty $1,000 micro-grants. Every finalist also gets free access to one Founders First signature program: Passport Community (valued $1,499) or Zebra Leadership (valued $1,699). You pick one, not both.
Annual · Pre-registration open now. Full application opens September 15, 2026 and closes October 15, 2026. Semifinalists announced October 22, finalists November 10, 2026.
Military veteran entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders. Ticketed conference, no application required to attend. Pitch competition slots are competitive.
Access to VCs actively investing in veteran-led startups + pitch competition hosted by PenFed Foundation + Military Veteran Startup Founder & Pioneer Award
Annual conference · February 2027 (watch milvetstartups.com)
Applications flow through Newman's Own Awards in partnership with Fisher House Foundation. Focus on vet-serving nonprofits and programs. Direct Newman's Own Foundation grants are not focused on vet founders.
Three eligibility tracks: (1) Active-duty service members from all branches, (2) veterans of any era with honorable discharge, (3) military spouses of active-duty or veteran service members. Applicants must be pursuing a graduate degree or completing their final year of undergraduate study on a full-time basis at an accredited US institution. Selection is merit-based, evaluating academic performance, leadership, personal character, and demonstrated service to community.
Renewable scholarship averaging $10,000 per academic year (some cohorts higher). Scholarship is renewable annually while the recipient remains enrolled full-time and in good standing. Beyond the financial award, Tillman Scholars gain lifetime membership in the Tillman Scholar Network, currently 900+ active members including senators, physicians, CEOs, nonprofit executives, and public servants. The network is the strategic asset most alumni cite as the highest-value part of the program.
Annual (application opens in February, typically closes first week of March) · Applications open February 2027. Closes early March 2027. Semi-finalist interviews in April. Selection announced May.
Post-9/11 veterans transitioning to civilian life who want to work or build in the agricultural industry. Active in 35 states.
Connection to agricultural employers and training opportunities through an online Veteran Community. Once hired by an agricultural industry employer, veterans become eligible for a stipend to offset housing, clothing, and transportation costs associated with the new job.
Rolling · Rolling. Register through the Ranchin' Vets veteran services portal.
Military service members, veterans, and first responders. Foundation runs programming across wellness, business support, and community. Details vary by initiative.
Culinary entrepreneurship training to launch and sustain food businesses (food trucks, catering, small restaurants). Not a general veteran small-business grant. Foundation also runs wellness, meals, and community programs unrelated to entrepreneurship.
Rolling and event-based · Check chefirvinefoundation.org for current initiatives
U.S. Small Business Administration + DoD Transition Assistance Program
BLUF
Time:16 hours (2-day)
Admittance:Eligibility-Based
Funding:No Cash AwardNon-dilutive
Delivery:In-person
Academic:Moderate
Transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. Delivered as part of the DoD Transition Assistance Program (TAP) on military installations worldwide.
Free 2-day intro to entrepreneurship. Covers business plan basics, feasibility, resources.
Veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of at least 10% (or 20% with an employment handicap) who have an honorable or other-than-dishonorable discharge. Must be found entitled to VR&E services and must have self-employment identified as the appropriate rehabilitation path by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). Not open to all veterans with a rating: your VRC determines whether self-employment is a suitable track for you.
VA-funded startup support that can include business plan development assistance, essential equipment and tools, initial inventory or supplies, licensing and permit fees, and marketing materials. Amounts are case-by-case and set inside your Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). Not a cash grant paid to you; VA typically pays vendors directly.
Rolling (apply any time you are eligible) · Rolling. Apply for VR&E via VA Form 28-1900 through VA.gov or eBenefits.
Veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses with early-stage businesses. National program administered through the Veteran Loan Fund CDFI network.
Free 8-week program with 1:1 coaching, free LivePlan software, grants of $3,000-$5,000, access to up to $350,000 in loan capital, 3 years of technical assistance, plus free BBBC (Business Beyond the Battlefield Conference) access.
Rolling cohorts, multiple per year · Rolling; check peoplefund.org for the next cohort start.
Vet-founded businesses pitching for capital investment.
Grant purse of $30,000 total awarded at the finals event ($15K first place, $10K second, $5K third). Separately, the program facilitates investor exposure and VC introductions worth substantially more than the grants themselves for finalists whose businesses align with panel investor theses. Prior 'investment pool $300K+' framing conflated grants with facilitated investment; the $30K is the guaranteed grant portion.
Annual (spring event, apps open in September) · Full applications open September 2026; pre-registration live now. Finalists compete for $30K grant purse plus investor exposure at April 2027 event.
U.S. military veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses interested in technology careers and entrepreneurship. Chapter membership is free.
Free VIT Academy tech education (scholarships available), employer network, VIT Pitch Contest for entrepreneurs, 30+ local chapters, annual VIT Gala (Nov), VIT Invasion (April), Vets in Space program
Rolling programs + annual signature events · VIT Gala 2026: Nov 13 | VIT Invasion 2026: Apr 2 (rolling for other programs)
Open to veteran business owners, corporate supplier-diversity teams, and sponsors. Free directory membership for verified vets. Annual conference is paid.
Two-day event with panels, tactical networking, Above & Beyond Awards Banquet. Access to corporate procurement teams (USAA, Robert Half, T-Mobile, Disney, Boston Scientific, Bristol Myers Squibb, etc.)
Annual · Annual November event in San Diego (10th annual TBA, check site)
Veterans, military spouses, and immediate family members with an early-stage startup who have completed Warrior Academy (or equivalent) and are ready for advanced training.
Live expert-led instruction, certificate of completion, and eligibility for Business Showers pitch competition
Quarterly cohorts · Quarterly, check site for next cohort