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    • HOME
    • VMLRP overview
    • VMLRP essential details
    • VSGP-RPE overview
    • VSGP ESSENTIAL DETAILS
  • HOME
  • VMLRP overview
  • VMLRP essential details
  • VSGP-RPE overview
  • VSGP ESSENTIAL DETAILS

VMLRP - Overview

Here are the basics about applying for the VMLRP Grant

It is definitely daunting to someone not accustomed to writing grant applications. We want to help you because we understand it might be difficult.

 

FIRST

FIRST, and VERY IMPORTANT, download the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).  Click on the photo at the right to download it from the USDA website.  You will refer to this NOFO again and again and again as you write your application.

                    

Have you downloaded it? Good!

SECOND

SECOND, Are you eligible for one of these VMLRP grants?  That is all detailed on page 10 of the NOFO, but in a nutshell you need:

► A veterinary degree from an accredited school

► A total of loans exceeding $15,000 

► An intention to work in a NIFA designated Shortage Area

► And for those who have previous obligations to state or federal government (this will be very few of you, you may not be eligible, see #6 on page 10 of the NOFO.)

THIRD

 THIRD, you have to work in one of the designated shortage situation areas. These are mostly rural areas that are very much in need of good veterinary help, and so the government has decided that an eligible veterinarian working in one of these areas is very deserving of significant loan repayment!  How do you find the shortage areas?  That is easy. -- 

       ▼   CLICK THE SHORTAGE AREA MAPS BUTTON BELOW  ▼ 

SHORTAGE AREA MAPS

FOURTH

FOURTH, now you may be confused about the TYPES of shortage nominations, some are Type I, some are Type II, and others are Type III, what’s that all about?  ALL THREE PAY THE SAME AMOUNT OF LOAN REPAYMENT TO YOU. You can read it on page 9 of the NOFO, but briefly...  

                                              ▼  SEE THE SECTION BELOW  ▼ 

TYPES OF SHORTAGE NOMINATIONS

              For those designated as Type I, you should expect to be in a practice where you will spend 80% of your time (really, 32h/week) attending to rural food producing animals. This 32h includes driving time.


               For those designated as Type II, the USDA expects you to spend at least 30% of your time (or 12h per week) attending to food producing animals.  The rest of the time you can do other activities, for example, dog and cat veterinary medicine.


               For those designated as Type III, you will probably be working for a state or federal employer, doing diagnostics, food safety, or regulatory work. You will not be in private practice and so the shortage designation geography does not apply to you. 

DEADLINES:

►  February 19, 2026, by 5:00 PM Eastern Time - for your LETTER OF INTENT


►  March 5, 2026, by 5:00 PM Eastern Time - for your APPLICATION


    ...In fact, it's best to get it all in early...

A QUESTION & ANSWER PAGE

◄◄ Check out the Q&A on the NIFA-VMLRP Program Facts by clicking on the Q&A symbol at left.

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