Applying for a Grant

The online grant application has four steps. Applications are only complete and ready for review once the four steps are complete. It is important that you read through all of the steps before starting the application process and review the Eligibility, Deadlines and FAQs. IMPORTANT- Each family will create one account. If you are applying for more than one child, you are required to use the same account with the same login and password. You will create a separate application for each child applying. A doctor letter is required for each child applying.

If you are selected for a grant, you are required to sign an online pledge form committing to provide feedback and verifying use of funds. We require the submission of receipts.

LymeLight Foundation awards grants to eligible children and young adults through age 25 at the time of application. It is the goal and the hope of the Foundation that through these grants children receive proper treatment and medication in their fight against Lyme disease. Grants are awarded in incremental amounts. The maximum lifetime grant is $10,000 per eligible individual or $30,000 per family.

Step 1: Application

The parent or child/young adult will answer questions explaining the need for the grant and how the funds will be used. If you are applying for more than one child please provide a separate application for each child. Please use one Account/Login per family.

Step 2: Doctor Letter - Medical Eligibility

LymeLight Foundation determines medical eligibility with the assistance of the applicant’s treating U.S. physician. For an application to be considered fully submitted for grant consideration, the physician’s letter must meet all of the following requirements:

• Written on official physician letterhead
• Addressed to LymeLight Foundation
• Include applicant’s full name and date of birth
• Confirmation of a diagnosis of Lyme disease:
  • May be a clinical diagnosis based on signs and symptoms
  • According to the CDC, Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g. erythema migrans rash), and the possibility of exposure to ticks
  • Must state there is a “diagnosis of Lyme disease”, “diagnosis of tick-borne illness” or “diagnosis of vector-borne illness”
• Provide a brief clinical case history
• Signed by the treating physician

Additionally, it is helpful to include commentary regarding the applicant’s financial need.

Additional Information

• Letters that do not clearly confirm a diagnosis of Lyme disease will not be accepted.
• A positive laboratory test does not replace the requirement for a physician letter.
• Letters that do not meet all requirements will be returned for re-issue.
• A treating physician is defined as a Lyme-literate MD, ND, DO, PA-C, or NP.
• Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) must have graduated from a CNME-accredited institution.
• The grant application will not be considered complete or eligible for Board review until the physician letter is received.
• The physician letter remains valid for two (2) years.
• You may download the Doctor Letter Requirements to provide to your Lyme-literate clinician.

Step 3: Letters of Support

Submit letters of support from friends, family members, teachers, church, and/or additional members of your medical team, etc. These letters are very useful to help us better understand your needs. 

Step 4: Income Verification

Submit the first two pages of the applicant's Federal 1040 tax return. If the applicant is a dependent on someone else's tax return, we require that return is uploaded instead. For those who do not file a tax return, we require proof of participation in a program such as SSI, SSDI, food stamps, Medicaid, or similar, in the form of a current approval letter from the providing entity. The income verification is valid for 2 years.