RICHMOND, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is seeking applications for $4 million in grants to support veteran suicide prevention, opioid addiction services and other programs serving Virginia’s military-connected population during fiscal year 2027.

The funding is part of DVS’s Suicide Prevention and Opioid Addiction Services (SOS) Program, which was established in 2022 to help address veteran suicide and opioid addiction while building partnerships among federal, state and local organizations.

DVS awarded $4 million in SOS grants to community organizations during fiscal year 2026. The upcoming funding round marks the sixth round of SOS grants.

The program is designed to increase awareness of suicide prevention and opioid addiction among service members, veterans and their families while strengthening communities’ ability to connect Virginia’s military-connected population with professional assistance and support.

“This is a critical mission of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services,” DVS Commissioner John Maxwell said. “We are proud to partner with a variety of organizations who receive these valuable grant funds to support service members, veterans, and their families.”

Through the latest Request for Applications, DVS will fund community-based interventions, peer-to-peer networks and harm-reduction services throughout Virginia. Individual grants may provide up to $200,000.

Priority areas include outreach to identify veterans at risk of suicide, mental health and substance-use screenings, suicide prevention education, clinical treatment, case management and peer support.

Funding may also support assistance in accessing federal, state and local benefits, innovative prevention therapies, caregiver support and services for rural military-connected populations. Other eligible activities include services for homeless and justice-involved veterans, overdose prevention and support for veterans transitioning from military to civilian life.

Eligible applicants include Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, Veteran Service Organizations, Community Services Boards, tribal organizations and state and local government entities. Active for-profit subrecipients administering DVS’s fifth-round community grant funding may also apply, although fiscal year 2027 will be the final year that for-profit applicants are eligible.

Applications must be submitted by September 30, 2026, at 4:59 p.m. EST.

Applicants must first register through the DVS grants portal to access the application. The portal requires a federal Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and Employer Identification Number (EIN). Application assistance tutorials are also available through the portal.

DVS SOS Grants Portal

Organizations needing to obtain a UEI number can register through SAM.gov.