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The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) has announced important updates to the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) and the Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP), both designed to support veterinarians serving in designated shortage areas.

Due to changes in program processes, Veterinary Shortage Nominations submitted in November 2024 were not awarded in Spring 2025 as originally scheduled. Instead, these funds will be applied to the next federal fiscal year (October 2025 – September 2026). Allocated funding from both FY25 and FY26 will be awarded in Spring 2026, using the November 2024 nomination areas.

In a positive development, USDA NIFA has added $15 million in additional funding to the two programs, creating expanded opportunities for awards in Spring 2026.

USDA NIFA does not anticipate soliciting new Veterinary Shortage Nominations until Fall 2026. In the meantime, veterinarians interested in applying for VMLRP or VSGP are encouraged to review current nomination areas submitted in November 2024 and contact the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Antimicrobial Use and Stewardship (AUS) branch with any questions or expressions of interest.

Program Updates

Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP)

• Provides veterinary student loan repayment in return for a minimum three-year commitment in a shortage area.
• No Request for Applications (RFA) will be issued in FY25.
• In FY26, USDA NIFA will issue an RFA utilizing both FY25 and FY26 appropriations.
• The application window is expected to run January – April 2026.
• Awardees from the FY26 cycle are anticipated to begin receiving funding in January 2027.
• A new streamlined, online application process will launch with the December 2025 RFA, reducing administrative burden for applicants.

Veterinary Services Grant Program (VSGP)

• Provides funding to expand food animal veterinary services by supporting practice resources in shortage areas.
• No RFA will be issued in FY25.
• FY25 funds will be distributed to existing projects or previously peer-reviewed but unfunded proposals.
• An RFA is expected in FY26 upon receipt of appropriations.

California Shortage Areas (FY25)

The following counties have approved shortage nominations, which remain active through FY26:

• Del Norte
• Humboldt
• Lake
• Siskiyou
• San Mateo
• Monterey & San Benito
• Los Angeles & Ventura
• Imperial

Veterinarians interested in serving these regions are encouraged to reach out to CDFA AUS.

Looking Ahead

USDA NIFA is also streamlining annual reporting requirements for award recipients and has issued a new USDA Rural Veterinary Action Plan, available here: USDA Rural Veterinary Action Plan Press Release.

“These updates reflect USDA’s continued commitment to strengthening the rural food animal veterinary workforce while expanding opportunities for veterinarians to serve communities in need,” USDA NIFA noted.