VA/DoD Health Affairs

Joint Incentive Fund (JIF)

Congress created the Joint Incentive Fund (JIF) between VA and DoD to encourage development of sharing initiatives and new approaches to problem solving that mutually benefit both VA and DoD. 

The JIF provides a minimum of $30,000,000 to enable the Departments to identify and incentivize programs that implement creative sharing initiatives at the facility, intra-regional, and nationwide levels.

How to Submit a Proposal

A call for JIF proposals will be released one to two times a year.  Proposals must be jointly developed between the DoD and VA entities and submitted through their respective management structures.  More detailed instructions are provided in the call letter and in the JIF Guide.  Proposals are submitted to the Shared Resources Working Group (SRWG).  Final proposal approval will be through the Executive Council.  Proposals must meet a business case.  Interim progress reports will be used as part of the oversight process.

JIF Guide Attachments:

Updated VA Hiring Guide  Dec 2025

Helpful Hints for Successful Proposals

Lessons Learned for Submission of JIF Projects

JIF Dashboard

Success Story - Revolutionizing Rehab: Mobile Technology Helps Service Members and Veterans Walk with Confidence

Success Story - Using Telehealth to Deliver Interactive Musculoskeletal FitnessProgram for Pain Reduction