SimiSleighs Foundation announces Athlete Grant Program

Deadline: 7 February 2025

The SimiSleighs Foundation is thrilled to invite applications for its Athlete Grant Program to advance gender equality by empowering female Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls from around the world with the support they need to elevate their capacity to change the game on and off the field of play.

It is a comprehensive six-month virtual program, which equips rising leaders with the tools they need through meaningful experiences and practical skill building. During the program, grant recipients participate in monthly virtual events designed to nurture their personal and professional development, enhance their ability to lead and expand their global network. Participants will also gain a broader global perspective, access to experienced mentors and an opportunity to expand their vision and strengthen their voice.

Program Specifications

Program participation: The SimiSleighs Foundation Athlete Grant Program is a six-month program with expected monthly virtual program events. Program participants can expect to dedicate between 2 to 6 hours per month over the course of the six-month program in addition to opportunities for individual support offered through the program. Athletes’ active participation in live monthly programming is a core requirement of the program and participants are expected to attend all programmatic events for the entire duration of the program.
Social media and communications participation: Athletes’ active participation is a core requirement of the program, including public communications, marketing and promotional obligations. During the term of the program, program administrators will reach out with specific social media and communications opportunities. Athletes are expected to promptly respond to any requests as may be requested by the program.
Program Reporting: Participants must provide regular feedback as requested by the program in order to monitor their progress. Award recipients must complete final reports detailing the impact of the program and how the funding was used.
Technical Requirements: Program participants will need access to a computer with a camera and a reliable internet connection to fully participate in the program.

Benefits

Personal and Professional Development: Participants benefit from tailored coaching and skills development, both individually and in group settings, designed to enhance their athletic performance and professional growth.
Leadership Development: Access to curated programming that focuses on building leadership skills, empowering athletes to lead both on and off the field.
Support Networks: Athletes expand their global network by connecting with fellow athletes, experts, world-class specialists, and leadership coaches, creating valuable opportunities for growth and collaboration.

Funding Information

As part of the program support, participants are also eligible to receive financial assistance of up to five thousand dollars ($5,000 USD), which may be used to cover approved expenses related to training to represent their country at an upcoming Olympic or Paralympic Games.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the following eligibility criteria to participate in the grant program:
- Female athletes who are currently active members of a National Team and/or training to represent their country at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympic or Paralympic Games, or the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic or Paralympic Games.
- A proven history and current display of both high athletic performance and good sportsmanship.
- No convictions for doping offenses or sanctions for actions contrary to the standards of the Olympic Charter, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), National Olympic Committees (NOCs), or National Paralympic Committees (NPCs).
- A strong commitment to using sport as a platform for community impact and global change.
- Fluent in English.
- Willingness and ability to fully engage in the holistic monthly virtual programming from April 2025 through September 2025.
- 18 years of age or older as of January 1, 2025.
Additional factors considered will be:
- Participation in a sport that is underrepresented by women.
- Participation on a National team that is underrepresented in a sport.
- Experiencing significant barriers to participation (e.g., lack of access to training facilities).
- Demonstrated track record of leadership and impact in the community.
- Financial hardship, such as an immediate financial need that, once fulfilled, will have a significant impact on the athlete’s participant to continue training and competing.