2022 ANNUAL GRANT PERIOD – TIMELINE

 

The 2022 CAF Grant Period runs from Sept 1, 2021 – Jan 31, 2023

Sept 1, 2021: 2022 Grant application opens

Nov 5, 2021: 2022 Grant Application closes

March 15-31, 2022: Grant Award notifications sent out

March 15, 2022 – May 31, 2022: Grant Award Acceptance & Distribution period

May 31, 2022: Deadline to accept 2022 grant

January 31st, 2023: 2022 Grant Period closes. Monetary grants must be spent, and receipts uploaded
 

 
 

 
 
For 2021 Grant recipients, please login to the portal to upload receipts.
 
Reach out to cafgrants@challengedathletes.org for other questions.
 
 

GRANT APPLICATION INFORMATION

 
 

ELIGIBILITY

All challenged athletes are eligible to apply for a CAF Grant. A challenged athlete is an individual with a permanent physical disability pursuing an active lifestyle through physical fitness or competitive athletics. The individual’s permanent disability must impair mobility, affect the neuromuscular system, impair balance or motor control.

CAF uses the International Paralympic Committee’s classification structure as a guideline and all qualifying individuals must provide supporting documentation from a medical professional to explain how their physical disability affects their activities of daily living. Hearing impairments, Intellectual and developmental disabilities do not qualify for support through CAF.
 

TYPES OF GRANTS – YOU MAY ONLY CHOOSE ONE

 
Sport Expense Grant Requests
The Sports Expense Grant allows you to request funds toward the following:
 

• Minor equipment purchases (expenses related to maintain, refurbish, or upgrade your adaptive equipment like handcycles, sport wheelchairs, bicycles, etc. or to purchase smaller equipment items that help you train or compete in sport.
  *Sports Expense Grants for minor equipment items will NOT count toward your future eligibility for large adaptive equipment items such as sports wheelchairs, handcycles, etc.
• Coaching/Training Expenses (expenses related to specialized coaching, personal trainer, coach, gym fees, adaptive sports clinics, classes or lessons, etc.)
• Travel/Competition Expenses (expenses related to sport/athletic competitions, training camps, or clinics.) These expenses may include entry fees and/or travel-related expenses to competitions. Travel related expenses can include transportation (fuel, rental car, flight, ride share, etc.), accommodations (hotel fees), and food.

 
Equipment Requests (Available for applicants from U.S. and Canada only)
CAF distributes most adaptive sports equipment through our selected distributors who offer offer exclusive discounted pricing.

Check out our CAF’s preferred partners HERE
 
Funding towards Equipment Requests (Available for international applicants)
If the equipment you are requesting is not listed on CAF’s equipment list, applicants will have the opportunity to apply for funding towards the equipment of their choice.
 
If you already own equipment for your sport, we strongly suggest that instead of applying for new equipment, you submit a Sports Expense Grant request for funds to refurbish, upgrade, or maintain your existing equipment item rather than submitting a request for new equipment. Funding Toward Equipment requests MUST be accompanied by a quote for the item which will be uploaded into the grant application form.

 
Athletic Prosthetics Requests: 
As you consider your request for Össur Athletic prosthetics, please keep in mind that CAF provides the prosthetic item(s) ONLY. We do ask your prosthetist to assist in the completion of the grant where they will be agreeing to provide materials and labor at a reduced cost or at no charge if you are awarded (there is no guarantee that they will be able to do so). Please discuss with your prosthetist their ability to provide support to you before applying for an athletic prosthetic.

 

International Applicants (outside of U.S. & Canada):
International applicants living outside the United States or Canada are eligible for the following only:

• Sport Expense Grant
• Funding Towards Equipment Grant

 

WHAT YOU NEED TO COMPLETE AN APPLICATION

• Account & Profile
  • First-time applicants will need to create an account and fill out profile details.
  • Returning applicants will use the same login as previous grant applications. Each application has a unique application link.
• Medical Verification of Disability
  • All applicants are required to submit a document or letter from a medical professional that verifies their physical impairment in the profile. Profiles must be completed before filling out an application.
  • Medical Verification of Disability only needs to be included in the profile once for lifetime challenged athlete eligibility
• Two (2) High quality photos of the applicant
• Financial Documents to provide proof of income
• Letter of Recommendation (from coach, trainer, prosthetist, teammate, or teacher and must be dated in current year)
• Your Grant Request