BEACON Act of 2026

New VA grants for chronic mTBI

If enacted, the VA would run two parallel grant tracks to fund research and new treatments for chronic mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in veterans. The bill would authorize $10 million each year for FY2026, FY2027, and FY2028 (total $30 million) and would end the program three years after enactment. The VA would cap any single eligible entity at $5,000,000 per year, and each year the VA would award four exploratory grants (up to $625,000 each, at least three to nonprofits) and five collaborative grants (up to $1,500,000 each). The VA could hire independent organizations to run the research program; grantees must share outcome data and the Secretary must report to Congress two years after starting and annually until the program ends. The bill would define “veteran” by 38 U.S.C. 101 and define chronic mTBI as symptoms lasting at least six months.