The prime objective of the WWSDP is to support service members and/or veterans across diverse geographic regions and population demographics by funding nonprofit organizations committed to advancing the service dog industry through continued learning, innovative training programs, and superior industry

credit:

standards.

The WWSDP defines a service dog as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.In FY2015, Congress appropriated $1,000,000 for the WWSDP to fund a competitive grants program.

This program will continue in FY2021, subject to Congressional appropriation, with an approximate budget of $10,000,000 under the authority of the Defense Health Program, Operations & Maintenance, Therapeutic Service Dog Training Program.

The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is authorized by 10 U.S.C.

2113(g)(1)(A) to make grants to any nonprofit entity.

Historically, USU has solicited grant applications from nonprofit institutions committed to connecting service dogs with service members and veterans.

Under this FOA, USU is continuing that practice and intends to award multiple, 12-month grants, subject to availability of funding, to eligible nonprofit organizations in support of this program in FY202 1. While the number of grants to be awarded and the amount of funding per grant will be determined based upon the quality of the applications and availability of funds, USU does not intend to award any single grant in excess of $1,000,00 0.