Apply for Athlete Award Programme (UK)

In the 2025-26 Athlete Award year Sport NI will have a focus on athletes who can qualify and deliver performances at The Commonwealth Games 2026, and athletes on an Olympic/ Paralympic trajectory for Los Angeles 2028, Dependent on budget available and the demonstrated need, athletes on a pathway for the Olympics and Paralympics in Brisbane 2032 may also be considered. These athletes may be able to achieve performances that demonstrate potential to transition onto World Class Programmes ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. When nominating athletes please ensure that the nominated athlete(s):

• Demonstrate an intention to change their circumstances to improve their performance levels, or that the athlete should be able to demonstrate that a change of circumstances has happened which has been necessary for the athlete to improve their performance levels. Examples of these may include:
  • Their training and competition programme significantly reduces their ability to meet the costs of daily living.
  • The athlete faces additional costs due to relocation to ensure access to appropriate facilities and/or expertise.
  • Athletes identified on National Performance Programme who have not yet reached the level to be funded by UK Sport or Sport Ireland.
  • The financial burden of the sport is prohibiting the athlete from participating.

Funding Information

• There are three levels of Athlete Award available, up to the following amounts:
  • £9,000
  • £5,000
  • £2,500
• These are annual amounts and will be paid in two six-monthly instalments to the governing body in advance of the expenditure period.

Eligibility Criteria

• Athletes that are in receipt of a UK Sport APA or Sport Ireland Carding will not normally be eligible. If there is a rationale as to how additional living cost support will allow additional benefits to be achieved by athletes, then this needs to be provided for consideration by Sport NI.
• Sport NI recognise that athletes within the entry levels of UK Sport APA may have additional financial need where travel to mainland UK is required to attend national training. Sport NI also recognise that athletes in receipt of Sport Ireland’s lower ‘pool funding’ system may still require financial assistance, where need can be demonstrated.
• It is the responsibility of the governing body to ensure that all athletes included in this application meet the following eligibility criteria:
  • Born in Northern Ireland;
  • Born of a parent (or adoptive parent) born in Northern Ireland;
  • Eligible to compete for Northern Ireland in the targeted competition.

Application Requirements

• A condition of the application to Sport NI for funding is that the applicant has read, understood and accepted the following:
  • Sport NI policies on funding are subject to change from time to time, including variations required to comply with directions on the distribution of funds. Sport NI reserves the right to amend, supplement and/or discontinue at its absolute discretion, for whatever reason, any or all of the policies, criteria and application procedures set out in its publications.
  • All applications are made entirely at the applicant’s sole risk and Sport NI shall not be liable to any applicant or any other party in respect of loss, damage or costs of any nature arising directly or indirectly from:
    • The application or the subject matter of the application or any part thereof;
    • The rejection for any reason of any application or any matter arising therefrom;
    • Any delay in processing any application howsoever arising.
  • All decisions regarding applications are at the sole discretion of Sport NI.
  • Sport NI has used its best endeavors to provide clear and helpful guidance for potential applicants to the Athlete Award. Sport NI, its servants and agents shall not, however, at any time in any circumstances be held responsible or liable in relation to any matter whatsoever or whosoever arising in connection with the development, planning, operation, and/or administration of individual projects.

For more information, visit Sport Northern Ireland.