BEACON Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Bergman
In Committee
Summary
This bill would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish two grant programs to test and expand treatments for veterans with chronic mild traumatic brain injury, with a focus on improving neurorehabilitation and measuring mental health and suicide-related outcomes. It emphasizes randomized controlled trials, clinician training, and partnerships to increase access to innovative, patient-centered care for veterans with mTBI.
Show full summary
- Veterans and families: Grants would fund development and testing of treatments that prioritize patient-centered care and nonpharmacological therapies, plus clinician outreach to improve awareness and access to care for chronic mild TBI. Studies must measure effects on mental health and factors linked to suicide risk.
- Researchers and providers: One program would award grants up to $5.0 million per award for prospective trials and related activities. A separate program would offer pilot grants up to $625,000 and collaborative grants up to $1.5 million per year, with set priorities for nonprofits and academic institutions.
- VA and independent research bodies: The bill requires annual reports and program evaluations, and it directs the Secretary to contract with an independent third party to run and analyze studies similar to the National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Both grant programs would run for a three-year pilot period with annual reviews.
*Authorizes up to $30.0 million for the pilot innovation program and $10.0 million per year for the research grants for FY2026–2028, a total of up to $60.0 million in authorized appropriations, which would increase federal spending if funded.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Clear definitions for TBI programs
If enacted, the bill would define "TBI" as traumatic brain injury and define "treatment" to include clinical interventions, therapeutic devices, and rehabilitation care provided directly to a veteran. It would use the legal definition of "veteran" in 38 U.S.C. §101. These definitions would clarify who and what the grant programs can fund.
More veteran TBI research grants
If enacted, the VA would create a TBI Innovation Grant Program to develop and test neurorehabilitation treatments for chronic mild TBI in veterans. The program would be authorized $30 million total for fiscal years 2026–2028. No single grant could exceed $5 million per fiscal year. VA would write rules within 180 days, require yearly recipient reports, perform annual program evaluations, and align the program with the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The program authority would end three years after enactment.
New independent TBI research grants
If enacted, the VA would establish a separate research grant program run with an independent third party to study supplemental neurorehabilitation treatments for veterans. The program would be authorized $10 million each year for fiscal years 2026–2028. Each year VA would award up to four exploratory grants of up to $625,000 (at least three of those to nonprofits) and up to five collaborative grants of up to $1.5 million. The independent administrator must report study findings to Congress and the VA, and the Secretary must report to Congress starting two years after the program begins and annually thereafter. The program authority would end three years after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Bergman
MI • R
Cosponsors
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 1/9/2026
Del. King-Hinds, Kimberlyn [R-MP-At Large]
MP • R
Sponsored 1/9/2026
Davis (NC)
NC • D
Sponsored 1/9/2026
Van Orden
WI • R
Sponsored 1/9/2026
Luttrell
TX • R
Sponsored 1/9/2026
Subramanyam
VA • D
Sponsored 1/12/2026
LaLota
NY • R
Sponsored 3/16/2026
Sewell
AL • D
Sponsored 3/24/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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