These are not different rules, Donkey Gang tried to apply for dApp Staking directly while Neemo Finance applied for UCG.
UCG is intended for projects not yet deployed on Astar but aiming to join the ecosystem. They have stricter commitments and steps to follow if they want to join and stay in dApp Staking.
A project can apply to the UCG program only once and for a maximum of two periods (8 months). The program is not continuous support but a bootstrap to help a project launch on Astar Network and join the dApp Staking Program.
cf: UCG v2: Making Unstoppable Community Grants attractive again
If Donkey Gang had applied to the UCG following the same process as described in the UCG guidelines and as Neemo did, there would have been a vote.
If Neemo Finance had tried to apply for dApp Staking without a contract or product on Astar Network, there would have been no vote.