VA Form 26-0967a: Scoring Criteria for SAHAT Grants – If you are developing innovative assistive technology designed to help severely disabled Veterans and service members live more independently in specially adapted homes, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology (SAHAT) Grant Program offers funding opportunities of up to $200,000.
VA Form 26-0967a (revised February 2025) is a critical component of the application package. It requires applicants to address six specific scoring criteria that VA reviewers use to evaluate and select winning proposals.
This guide explains the form, the SAHAT program, each scoring criterion in detail, how to apply, and practical tips for submitting a competitive proposal.
What Is VA Form 26-0967a?
VA Form 26-0967a, titled Scoring Criteria for SAH Assistive Technology Grants, is the official form applicants must complete as part of their SAHAT grant proposal. It supersedes the February 2022 version.
The form requires detailed written responses to six criteria. These responses are scored by VA professionals, including SAH adaptation officers, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation engineers. The form carries an OMB Control Number of 2900-0903 (expires 02/29/2028) and has an estimated respondent burden of 1 hour.
Download the current form here:
Download VA Form 26-0967a (PDF)
You can also access it directly from the official VA forms page:
VA Form 26-0967a on VA.gov
Overview of the SAH Assistive Technology (SAHAT) Grant Program
The SAHAT Grant Program encourages the research, development, and commercialization of new assistive technologies specifically for Veterans and service members who qualify for Specially Adapted Housing (SAH) grants.
The goal is to create innovative solutions that promote independent living, improve safety, and enhance quality of life inside specially adapted homes. Grants are awarded competitively and do not constitute an endorsement of any specific technology or company.
Past funded projects have included AI-powered document readers and virtual assistants for blind Veterans, augmented reality glasses for home accessibility, robotic overbed tables, smart home control systems, custom-fit ramp technology, and digital twins for accessible home planning.
These grants help bridge gaps where existing commercial technology may not fully meet the complex needs of Veterans with severe service-connected disabilities.
Who Should Use VA Form 26-0967a?
This form is intended for:
- Technology developers and inventors
- Researchers and universities
- Companies and startups in the assistive technology or smart home space
- Veteran-owned or minority-owned businesses
- Nonprofits and organizations focused on Veteran independence
Note: This is not the form individual Veterans use to apply for home adaptation funding. Veterans seeking to adapt their own homes should use VA Form 26-4555 for the regular SAH or SHA grant programs.
The Six Scoring Criteria for SAH Assistive Technology Grants
Applicants must provide clear, compelling responses to all six criteria. Reviewers evaluate how well your technology addresses the unique challenges faced by SAH-eligible Veterans.
Criterion 1: Describe how the new assistive technology is innovative.
Explain what makes your solution new or significantly improved compared to existing products. Highlight novel features, proprietary technology, patents, or unique approaches that solve problems current commercial options do not fully address.
Criterion 2: Explain how the new assistive technology will meet a specific, unmet need among eligible individuals.
Identify a concrete gap in current housing adaptations or assistive devices for Veterans with qualifying disabilities (such as loss of limb use, blindness combined with mobility limitations, or severe burns). Use data, Veteran feedback, or research to demonstrate the unmet need.
Criterion 3: Explain how the new assistive technology is specifically designed to promote the ability of eligible individuals to live more independently.
Describe measurable improvements in daily living activities, reduced reliance on caregivers, enhanced safety, or greater participation in home life. Focus on outcomes relevant to SAH homes (e.g., voice or thought-controlled systems, automated environmental controls, or mobility aids integrated into the home).
Criterion 4: Describe the new assistive technology’s concept, size and scope.
Provide a clear technical overview, target user population, scalability potential, and how the technology fits within or complements existing SAH adaptations. Include details on form factor, installation requirements, and compatibility with typical adapted housing features.
Criterion 5: Describe the implementation plan with major milestones for bringing the new assistive technology into production and to the market.
Outline a realistic, achievable timeline with meaningful milestones (development, testing with Veterans, regulatory compliance if applicable, manufacturing, and commercialization). Include key dates and deliverables that fit within the grant performance period.
Criterion 6: Explain what uniquely positions the technology grant applicant in the marketplace.
Describe your team’s qualifications, relevant experience, veteran-owned or service-disabled veteran-owned small business (SDVOSB/VOSB) status, partnerships, manufacturing capability, or other factors that demonstrate reliability and alignment with VA’s mission to serve Veterans. Emphasize how your organization will protect Veteran interests (e.g., data privacy, accessibility standards, affordability).
How to Apply for SAHAT Grants?
SAHAT funding opportunities are announced periodically through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFA) on Grants.gov.
A complete application package typically includes:
- Standard Forms (SF-424, SF-424A, SF-424B)
- VA Form 26-0967 (Certification Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Ineligibility, and Voluntary Exclusion)
- VA Form 26-0967a (the scoring criteria responses)
- Project narrative, budget, timeline, and other required attachments
Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by the deadline specified in the current NOFA (usually 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time). Late or incomplete applications are not considered.
Check Grants.gov regularly or set up alerts for “SAHAT” or “Specially Adapted Housing Assistive Technology” to be notified of new opportunities.
Tips for a Strong SAHAT Grant Application
- Align your technology explicitly with the needs of Veterans who have qualifying SAH disabilities.
- Include letters of support or input from Veterans, occupational therapists, or SAH specialists when possible.
- Demonstrate both innovation and practicality — reviewers value feasible paths to real-world use.
- Make your implementation milestones specific, measurable, and realistic.
- Highlight any Veteran or military family connection on your team.
- Follow all formatting and page limits in the current NOFA instructions.
Official Resources and Trusted Sources
- Download VA Form 26-0967a (PDF)
- VA Form 26-0967a – Official VA Page
- SAHAT Grant Recipients and Program Information
- VA Disability Housing Grants (SAH/SHA Overview)
- Grants.gov – Search for current SAHAT opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VA Form 26-0967a for individual Veterans who want to adapt their home?
No. This form is for organizations and developers applying for grants to create new assistive technologies. Individual Veterans should use VA Form 26-4555 for SAH or SHA grants.
What disabilities qualify Veterans to benefit from SAHAT-funded technologies?
Qualifying service-connected disabilities generally include loss or loss of use of more than one limb, blindness in both eyes (20/200 or less), certain severe burns, and specific lower extremity conditions (especially post-9/11) that prevent locomotion without assistance. See the full official list on VA.gov.
How much funding is available?
Grants are typically awarded up to $200,000 per project, depending on the Notice of Funding Opportunity.
When can I apply?
Opportunities are announced periodically. Monitor Grants.gov for the latest SAHAT funding opportunity.
Important Disclaimer
This article provides general information based on official VA sources and the February 2025 version of VA Form 26-0967a. Requirements, deadlines, and available funding can change with each new Notice of Funding Opportunity. Always refer to the current NOFA on Grants.gov and official VA publications for the most accurate and up-to-date instructions. This is not legal or financial advice.
By thoroughly addressing the six scoring criteria on VA Form 26-0967a with clear, Veteran-centered responses, you can significantly strengthen your proposal for developing life-changing assistive technology through the SAHAT Grant Program.
For the latest opportunities and forms, start with the official links above and check Grants.gov regularly.