VA has announced the creation of a new grant program to help service members and their spouses transition from military life to civilian life. The grants will be awarded to eligible organizations that provide employment-based resources and tools for transitioning service members and spouses — including resume assistance services, interview training, job recruitment training, employment placement services, and additional services that lead directly to a successful transition. 

The announcement, released on May 10 in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, outlined key features of the grant program that will affect the approximately 200,000 service members who separate from the military each year. Some $4 million in increments of $500,000 will be awarded in 2024. The grants will be matched by the receiving organization, thus doubling the positive impact for separating service members and their families.

“These grants will help our nation’s service members —and their spouses — get the tools and assistance they need to get the jobs they deserve,” said VA Under Secretary for Benefits Joshua Jacobs. “Our goal is to put service members and their families into positions where their transition out of the military isn’t only manageable — it’s successful — and empowers them to continue to lead our country. That’s what this new grant program is all about.”

In addition to the grant program, VA helps service members and their families transition by educating them about the VA care and benefits they’ve earned, helping them apply for VA services before leaving the military, calling to check in throughout the first year of separation, and providing educational and career counseling.

To access the detailed news release announcing the new program, click here.