Program Development and Research Grants

Program Development and Research Grants is sponsored by Assistance Dog United Campaign (ADUC). ADUC offers annual grants to assistance dog member programs to help them reach their highest potential and further their development. Funds are also available for qualified applicants for purposeful assistance dog research projects.

Grant Information - Assistance Dog United Campaign ADUC Update: Unfortunately, due to a lack of funding, Assistance Dogs United will be discontinued in 2024. Open vouchers will still be honored. Program Development and Research Grants ADUC is committed to helping assistance dog member programs reach their highest potential.

Annual grants are provided to meet program needs that will further that development, ultimately benefiting the assistance dog partnership. Funds are also available to qualified applicants for purposeful assistance dog research projects. A full proposal shall include a budget, timeline, project goals, and objectives, details regarding the planned methodology, and anticipated outcomes.

These grants are an important part of ADUC's goal to fiscally support the assistance dog industry. Selection criteria will favor those applications requesting funds that will directly improve their assistance dog program efforts and provide overall benefits to the assistance dog industry as opposed to funding administrative costs.

Applications for each year's Program Development Grants will be made available in April and May by mail to be submitted no later than May 31 of that year. No exceptions will be made. As in prior years, the ADUC Board of Directors will evaluate the submissions and recommend funding.

Applications Are Available 2023 Program Grant Application Insufficient funds limit the accessibility to assistance dogs. Individuals unable to contribute toward the cost of their dog feel, and in fact are, less empowered. Recognizing this, ADUC provides vouchers to individuals with disabilities, thus enabling them to proudly approach an ADUC member program seeking a canine helpmate with the necessary funds to make this miracle possible.

Vouchers are valid for one year, so the assistance dog must be obtained within that time period. One-year extensions are allowed in special circumstances but must be requested one month prior to the voucher's expiration date. Vouchers for service, hearing, and guide dogs provided by a member program are available in amounts up to $5,500.

Vouchers for social/therapy dogs provided by a member program in amounts up to $2,500. If the client provides their own dog to be trained by a member program, the voucher amount will be decreased. Vouchers are disbursed to programs in two payments: fifty percent (50%) upon completion of client training and the remaining fifty percent (50%) after one year, pending verification of a successful working team.

How Do I Apply for a Voucher? If you wish to receive a voucher application, click the button "ADUC Voucher Application 2022" above for the most current application form. The application is ONLY available during the months of April and May.

We will not take requests from member programs for their clients. Older versions of the form will not be accepted. The application, along with a one-page letter stating how an assistance dog will help you and proof of financial need (SSI notice or tax return), are due by May 31, 2022.

Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Completed applications will be evaluated by ADUC's voucher committee. Selection criteria favor those applications demonstrating the need for an assistance dog and financial necessity.

Vouchers are valid for one year from the date of issue and may only be used to obtain an assistance dog from one of ADUC's member programs (see List of Member Programs ) during that period of time. If you are unable to obtain your dog within the one-year time limit, you may apply for a one-time, one-year extension on your voucher one month before your voucher's expiration date.