There are several types of grants available for the many types of adult group homes that exist today. There are thousands of group homes throughout the U.S. aimed at adults with disabilities (including physically handicapped and adults with learning, social or developmental disabilities, such as autism), homes with adults recovering from substance abuse, or homes caring for elderly adults. In general, group homes consist of six to 25 individuals, depending on the size of the home.

Developing Center Grants

This federal grant is aimed primarily at group homes dedicated to helping adults with mental disabilities. A Developing Center Grant can be awarded in various amounts, depending on the amount of research done at the facility, and help the group home needs in caring for the adults at this type of group home.

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) sponsors and awards this grant on a yearly basis, and awards multiple grants throughout the U.S. According to the NIMH, a Developing Center Grant is aimed at reducing "the burden of mental and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior" of the adults for whom they care.

Since this is a federal grant, no paper format applications are accepted. Applicants must apply online at www.grants.gov.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Science Writing, Press, and Dissemination Branch 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 8184, MSC 9663 Bethesda, MD 20892-9663 301-443-4513 (local) 1-866-615-6464 (toll-free) 301-443-8431 (TTY) 1-866-415-8051 (TTY toll-free) 301-443-4279 (Fax)

Treatment and Prevention Services for Drug and Alcohol Abuse

There are several types of grants offered by both the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) to assist group homes with adults recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. These grants range in funding for a two-year period maximum, depending on the amount of care needed for the adults in this type of group home.

These grants are awarded yearly, and can be distributed in different amounts each year, but for no more than two consecutive years. This grant is aimed at assisting group homes develop new programs for helping drug and alcohol abusers combat their addiction, and develop alternative cost-effective methods for overcoming addiction.

Since this is a federal grant, no paper format applications are accepted. Applicants must apply online through www.grants.gov. In addition, group home coordinators can contact the NIDA or NIAAA directly with questions.

NIDA's Grants Management Branch 6001 Executive Blvd. Bethesda, Maryland 20892 301-443-6710

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) 5635 Fishers Lane, MSC 9304 Bethesda, MD 20892-9304 Communications/Public Info: 301-443-3860

Elderly and Adult Care Group Home Grants

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) also offers federal grants to group homes specifically aimed at researching various aspects of aging and caring for the adults at these homes. According to the NIA, this type of research includes "mechanisms of aging, the processes of aging, aging and the nervous system, aging in relation to health and disease." A unique aspect of this grant is that it is targeted to homes associated with a research facility such as a hospital, clinic, university or similar organization. These grants range in award, depending on the type of care needed for the level of elderly care being conducted.

Typically, group homes aimed at elderly and adult care have various physical therapy sessions, specific meal and diet plans and a facility much more friendly to the elderly, and may require much higher costs (more ramps than stairs, elevators if there is more than one floor, rails along the walls to assist with walking, etc).

Group home coordinators looking to receive such grants can contact NIA at: www.nia.nih.gov/GrantsAndTraining/GrantProcess/ National Institute on Aging Building 31, Room 5C27 31 Center Drive, MSC 2292 Bethesda, MD 20892 Phone: 301-496-1752 TTY: 1-800-222-4225 Fax: 301-496-1072