The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund has announced the new grant guidelines for the 2013 grant cycle. This marks the seventh grant cycle for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation.

The majority of the grants distributed will help K-9 units to purchase dogs and dog safety vests, but other types of needs are also considered, the foundation announced.

The foundation will be distributing grants in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2013-14 season. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invites police and fire departments in these eight cities to submit proposals detailing their needs. Also, for each Steelers' playoff game, a grant will be awarded to a city anywhere in the United States that would not otherwise be eligible to apply. In addition, the foundation will continue to make grants to several police and fire department K-9 units in the Pittsburgh area following Super Bowl XLVIII.

As part of the NFL International Series, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to meet the Minnesota Vikings in London on Sept. 29. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will mark the inaugural occasion of the Steelers playing a regular-season game overseas with its first international grant to support law enforcement in the London area.

The foundation distributed more than $135,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2012 NFL season and has distributed in excess of $950,000 since 2007.

Eligible departments must apply to The Giving Back Fund by Aug. 15. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. To view the full grant requirements, eligibility and evaluation process, click here.