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The AIS Athletics program comprises a two-tiered scholarship system. There are different levels of scholarship support applicable to each athlete and these are determined by the athlete’s performance level and age. The program has a development section (18-23) as well as an elite program, which aims to cater for the athlete in transition from school/college into further education or employment. While there is this provision for younger and developing athletes, the AIS Athletics program is essentially a high performance program and therefore the emphasis is ultimately on the achievement of international results. The majority of support is therefore directed to athletes participating and preparing for the major championships. Generally, scholarships are offered to athletes over the age of 17 who have completed their secondary education.

Through the AIS Camps Scholarship aspect, the AIS Athletics program supports athletes appropriately qualified in the National Centre Events of Walks, AWD Sprint/Jump and 400mH who are based outside Canberra, through a series of camps and potentially individual support in liaison with AA and the home State Institute or Academy, to try and make a difference to their Daily Training Environment.

The AIS Athletics scholarship year is from 1st April until 30 September, when athletes are re-assessed and then from 1st October to 31st March each year. Applications are advertised nationally in July, though athletes may apply at any time, should their circumstances change for consideration.. Scholarship applications are available by contacting the AIS Athletics Coordinator.

All scholarship applications are re-viewed and recommendations made to Athletics Australia for their agreement, before successful applicants are contacted. As a part of the AA National Event focus, the AIS are aiming to recruit athletes in the AA designated disciplines for the AIS, namely as a Centre for Walks and Athletes with a Disability (sprints/Jumps) and 400mH. Individual athletes who exceed the AIS Performance standards outside of these event areas will also be considered at the request of Athletics Australia.

Athletes who are considered for scholarships must:

• be Australian citizens
• be eligible for selection to Australian national teams at the Olympic or Paralympic level
• achieve the set AIS qualifying standards and performance criteria.

Additional criteria include:

• potential of the athlete to improve on existing performances
• injury rehabilitation and capacity to continue full training
• priority event groups within the AIS Athletics program.

Although there are a set number of scholarships available (28 including 6 AWD places), selection to the AIS Athletics program is a dynamic process. Athletes may be added to the program throughout the season, with the approval of the selection panel, providing the relevant criteria have been met.

It is a requirement of all AIS Scholarship holders that they live in Canberra and train at the AIS facilities on the Bruce complex, using the AIS Coaching staff, who will liaise with their previous coaching and other support personnel during the initial change-over period.

These scholarship athletes, with their AIS coaches and the AIS performance manager, determine their specific targets and competition standards to be achieved in accordance with Athletics Australia's high performance program.

These are the entry requirements for AIS Scholarship athletes which are used as a guide for the selection committee along with any relevant competition results at major and domestic championship events held each year: and recently.