For more than 30 years, the CAF Annual Grant Program has been a gateway for athletes with physical disabilities to access the sports equipment, training, competition support, and travel funding they need to thrive. From a racing wheelchair that changes a young athlete’s daily routine to funds for coaching and competition travel, CAF grants remove barriers so sport can be a part of life at every stage.
In 2026, the CAF grant program is evolving to make sure funding reaches those with the greatest financial need, while keeping the process fair, transparent, and structured. Applicants will notice important changes: a shorter application window, updated eligibility considerations, and additional required documents.
Whether you’re applying for the first time or returning for another cycle, understanding these updates — and preparing early — will be the key to successfully submitting your application.
Why the Grant Program Is Changing
CAF’s mission has always been to provide opportunities for people with physical disabilities to live active lifestyles through sport. The demand for grants has grown year over year, and so has the diversity of sports, athletes, and needs. To meet this demand, CAF is introducing:
- A 6-week application period to focus on the review process and ensure faster, more efficient processing.
- Clearer eligibility considerations so applicants understand when and how often they can apply.
- Additional documentation requirements to help the review team understand each applicant’s needs and circumstances.
These changes are about strengthening equity in the selection process and helping athletes submit complete, competitive applications.
“I feel like having my own chair is gonna help me have more freedom of when I can practice because I do want to do tennis for the rest of my life.” – Daira Pernilla, 2025 grant recipient
What’s New for 2026
- Application window: Oct 1 – Nov 14, 2025 (6 weeks only; closes at 5 PM PST)
- New documentation requirements: Updated medical verification (first-time applicants) and specific letters of recommendation.
- Eligibility considerations:New policies are being implemented regarding how often an individual may apply for an Equipment Grant. Equipment grant requests for younger athletes will be subject to greater scrutiny.
- More competitive selection process: All are welcome to apply, but applicants with higher incomes are not guaranteed support.
Required Documentation
To apply for the 2026 CAF Annual Grant Program, you will need:
- Medical Verification of Disability – A letter or official documents from a medical professional explaining how your physical disability affects daily activities (first-time applicants only). View our template here.
- Financial Documentation
OR
-
- Proof of income via a copy of 2024 W2s
OR
OR
- Your 1099 / 1099-NEC from the past two years
- Photos – An individual photo, preferably showing you participating in your sport.
- Letters of Recommendation – See detailed guidelines below.
- Equipment Quotes – If not using CAF-preferred vendors, include an official price quote for the requested item.
Letters of Recommendation Guidelines
Letters should be written by a coach, mentor, adaptive sport organization staff member, healthcare professional, or another person who can speak to:
- Your experience in the sport for which you’re requesting a grant.
- How you contribute to your team, local community, or the adaptive sports community.
- How a CAF grant will help you pursue an active life through sport.
For Equipment Grant requests, two letters of recommendation are required and should also address:
- Whether you currently own or borrow similar equipment.
- How new equipment will affect your ability to play or compete.
- Why a replacement is needed if you already own similar equipment (e.g., broken, no longer fits, skill level outgrown).
- How the prior equipment will be passed on or repurposed for another athlete.
Letter requirements: Letters must be typed, signed, and include the author’s contact information and their relationship to the grant applicant. Whenever possible, letters should be on organizational letterhead and include relevant links to the organization.
Grant Categories
The 2026 Annual Grant Program has two main categories:
Equipment Grants (U.S. only)
Includes two types:
- Vendor Equipment – Adaptive sports equipment sourced through CAF-preferred vendors.
- Funding Toward Equipment – Funding toward approved adaptive sports equipment from other vendors.
Sport Expense Grants (U.S. + International)
Covers costs such as coaching, training, competition fees, travel expenses, small equipment, and equipment maintenance.
Year-Round Grant Programs
Separate from the annual grant cycle, CAF also offers year-round grants through specific programs:
- CAF + Össur Grant Program – Specialized lower-limb sports prosthetics for applicants with lower limb loss in the U.S.
- CAF Idaho Grant Program – Support for Idaho-based athletes.
- CAF Operation Rebound Grant Program – Support for U.S. military veterans, first responders, and active-duty personnel with permanent physical disabilities.
Eligibility Considerations for 2026
- Equipment Grant frequency: applicants are eligible to apply for an Equipment Grant every 3 years (under 18) or every 5 years (18+).
- Equipment Grants are rarely awarded to athletes under age 9, though applicants of any age may apply if they believe their request meets the criteria. Parents of younger athletes are encouraged to consider if a Sport Expense Grant request is more appropriate for their child.
- Financial need is a priority consideration. There is no income cap, but higher income households are encouraged to provide justification of their need for support from CAF.
“Sport was really that hope in a dark time. It gave me a reason to get up every morning, a goal to get back on the field, and a community that supported me through it all.” – Parker Bird, 2025 grant recipient
How to Prepare Before Oct 1
- Start early – Gather your 2023 and 2024 financial documents now.
- Request letters – Give your references plenty of time to write and submit strong letters following the guidelines above.
- Review eligibility considerations – Confirm you meet frequency and category requirements.
- Update your grant portal profile – Make sure all contact information is accurate.
- Read the FAQs – Understanding the process before applying can save time and reduce errors.
Parent & Guardian Tips
If you’re a parent or guardian applying on behalf of a minor athlete, here are some quick tips to make the process easier:
- Athlete Profile – All information in the account and profile must be about the athlete (the minor), not the parent or guardian.
- Unique Email Address – Each athlete must have their own unique email in the CAF Grant Portal. Parent/guardian emails cannot be shared across multiple athlete profiles.
- Options for Creating an Email –
- Create a new email address specifically for your child, or
- Use your existing email with a “+sub address.” For example:
- Main email: jane@gmail.com
- Sub address for child: jane+child@gmail.com (all emails will still arrive in Jane’s inbox).
- Collaborators – Parents/guardians may add another adult (coach, teacher, or relative) as a collaborator to help complete the profile and application.
- Applications – Before submitting, double-check that all information reflects the athlete’s details and is connected to the correct unique email address.
>>View Athlete-Guardian Guide PDF<<
Key Dates for the 2026 CAF Grant Program
Applications open: Oct 1, 2025
Applications close: Nov 14, 2025 (5 PM PST)
Awards announced: End of March 2026
Moving Forward Together
These updates are about more than changing deadlines and requirements — they’re about ensuring that CAF grants create the most meaningful impact possible. Every application tells a story of determination, and every grant awarded helps an athlete push their limits in sport and in life.
