Overview
The VetResources Community Network (VRCN) Catalyst Award, in support of the Secretary of the VA’s priorities, aims to engage innovative community-based solutions with non-profit organizations to improve customer experience, outreach, build trust, and increase access to VA and non-VA services for Veterans, families, caregivers, and survivors. The VRCN catalyst award will give a total of $100,000 in prize money to plan and implement 10 community-based outreach events/activations to reach more than 5,000 underserved Veterans across four priority categories: Transitioning Veterans, Rural Veterans, Minority Veterans, and the Veteran Gaming community.
General Award Criteria for Applicants
Applicant should:
- Commit to reach over 500 Veterans
- Demonstrate proven and/or promising practices for community engagement and outreach.
- Demonstrate assessment of Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and referral mechanisms.
- Develop sound outreach and communications strategy to implement outreach event(s)/activation(s) within six months of award receipt.
- Demonstrate feasibility for the targeted population.
- Demonstrate sustainability of outreach efforts.
- Demonstrate effectiveness with measurable outcomes.
- Demonstrate coordination plans with the community and local VA facilities to host outreach and event activations.
- Share VA information during the event(s) and/or activation(s).
Submission Requirements
- Fill out the following form with attached application.
- Submit a narrative not to exceed 3 pages, single spaced, 1-inch margins, no smaller than 11 pt font.
- Submit application and completed form by 03/03/2025 at 6:00p ET.