VA Just Dropped $16M for Adaptive Sports. Here's How to Get In.

By CombatProse | USMC

The VA just announced $16 million in adaptive sports grants for organizations that run programs for disabled veterans. That means more local programs, more access, and more opportunities to get off the couch and into something that actually matters.

If you have a service-connected disability and you’re not tapped into adaptive sports, you’re leaving one of the best recovery tools on the table. This isn’t about going to the Olympics. It’s about reconnecting with the part of yourself that thrives on competition, camaraderie, and pushing limits.

Here’s what just happened, who’s getting funded, and how you get involved.

What the VA Just Announced

On April 9, 2026, the VA released $16 million in grants through the Adaptive Sports Grant Program. This money goes directly to national, regional, and community organizations that run adaptive sports programs for veterans and service members with disabilities.

The numbers tell the story:

$16 million available for 2026-2027
Individual grants up to $750,000 per organization
Over $160 million awarded since the program started
Application deadline: May 13, 2026

VA Secretary Doug Collins put it straight: “Adaptive sports can be life-changing for disabled Veterans, improving strength and facilitating healing while building resilience through competition, camaraderie and achievement.”

He’s not wrong. But the real question is: are you plugged in?

Why Adaptive Sports Hit Different for Veterans

Look, we all know the transition out of service can strip away the things that kept us grounded — the mission, the team, the daily physical push. Vet Centers and counseling have their place. But there’s something about physical competition that rewires the brain in ways a therapy session can’t.

The research backs it up. Peer-led programs show 40% higher engagement rates compared to traditional support services, according to Operation Family Fund. And adaptive sports combine that peer connection with physical challenge — the exact combination that mirrors what we had in the service.

The activities covered under these grants aren’t just wheelchair basketball (though that’s there too). We’re talking:

Archery, skiing, cycling
Wheelchair softball, hunting, fishing
Rock climbing, kayaking, golf
Track and field, swimming, sled hockey

Whatever your disability, whatever your interest — there’s a program being funded right now that fits.

The Big Events You Should Know About

The VA doesn’t just fund local programs. They run national events that are open to eligible veterans. Here’s what’s on the calendar for 2026, according to DisabledVeterans.org:

National Veterans Golden Age Games — Tampa, FL, June 26 – July 3, 2026. Multi-sport competition for veterans 55+. From track to shuffleboard, this is the largest senior adaptive event in the country.
National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic — San Diego, CA, tentatively August 22-29, 2026. For veterans with PTSD, amputations, spinal cord injuries, TBI, visual impairments, and burns.
National Disabled Veterans Golf Clinic — Location TBD, September 2026. New for this year. For veterans with visual impairments, amputations, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson’s, and MS.

The Winter Sports Clinic in Snowmass, CO already wrapped up earlier this month. If you missed it, put it on the list for 2027.

Organizations That Connect You

You don’t have to wait for a national event. These organizations run year-round programs and are likely applying for this grant money right now:

Move United — The largest organization connecting disabled veterans to adaptive sports nationwide. They coordinate with the VA grant program and have member organizations in every state. If you don’t know where to start, start here.

Team Red, White & Blue — Focuses on physical health, mental health, purpose, and relationships through community events. Not disability-specific, but inclusive and nationwide. Great for veterans who want consistent weekly activity with other vets.

Wounded Warrior Project Peer Support — Small, warrior-led groups (10-15 people) that combine peer connection with activity. Virtual and in-person options. If you need the team environment more than the sport itself, this is your lane.

Challenged Athletes Foundation — Operation Rebound — Year-round grants and coaching specifically for adaptive sports participation. They’ll help you get the equipment and training you need.

How to Get Involved This Month

Check VA’s adaptive sports page at va.gov/adaptivesports and follow @Sports4Vets on social media for program updates and event registration.
Contact your local VA recreation therapist. Every VA medical center has one. They can connect you to funded programs in your area and help with event applications.
Reach out to Move United at moveunitedsport.org to find a member organization near you. They have the largest network of adaptive sports programs in the country.
If you run a veteran org, the grant application deadline is May 13, 2026. Details at grants.gov. Individual grants go up to $750K.
Talk to your care team. If you’re already in the VA system, your provider can refer you to adaptive recreation programs as part of your overall care plan. If you’re not enrolled, the VA has brought in over 76,000 new veterans into the system this year alone.

This Is About More Than Sports

Let’s be real. The word “adaptive” can feel limiting. But the veterans in these programs will tell you the opposite — it’s the most free they’ve felt since they got out.

When you’re on a sled racing down a mountain, or lining up a shot at an archery range, or pushing a racing wheelchair around a track with other vets who get it — the disability fades into the background. What stays is the mission, the team, and the drive.

The VA is putting $16 million behind making that happen for more veterans this year. The programs exist. The funding is there. The only missing piece is you.

If you’ve been thinking about getting active again but didn’t know where to start — this is your sign. Make the call. Show up. The community is waiting.

VA Just Dropped $16M for Adaptive Sports. Here’s How to Get In.