Activities and experiences covered under the Grants Program must show a demonstratable connection with personal, career, and skill-building development.  While not an exhaustive list, examples of experiences covered by the Program may include the following:

Michelle is a coach seeking to enhance her coaching expertise by attending the 2024 U21 World Championships in Morocco. This opportunity will allow Michelle to gain international coaching experience, observe top competitors, and build professional networks. The Grant can assist by providing financial support during this crucial developmental phase.

Anna is seeking to enhance her expertise in managing neurodivergent athletes by attending practice and game sessions with a NSO and Professional Sporting Organisation. This opportunity will assist in gaining insights from their successful programs, developing new skills, and building professional networks. The Grant can help by funding the necessary expenses for this important learning experience.

Jasmine is the Assistant Coach and an Australian Senior Women’s Team and Head Coach for an Australian U18 Youth Girls squad. She wishes to enhance her coaching skills by attending 5 camps and 4 international tours in 2024, including trips to Chile, New Zealand, India and Singapore. This opportunity will allow her to gain mentorship, upskill in game technology, and manage athletes in high-pressure environments. The Grant can support by covering the costs associated with these valuable commitments.

Kylie is passionate about leadership and wellbeing and their impact on workplace culture. Her immersion experience involves developing a pilot leadership and wellbeing program at a State Sporting Organisation, which she aims to pitch to other sporting organisations. This will include reviewing the current environment, exploring best practices, and designing, implementing and evaluation the program. The Grant can assist by funding the expenses necessary for this significant project.

Eligible expenditure items

This funding must go towards one or a combination of the below items:

• Travel costs for the purpose of participating in a  training camp, competition, event, or other approved experience (including domestic and international, flights, accommodation, meals, and incidentals).
• Income (including to supplement time taken away from the applicant's substantive role).
• Parental support costs (babysitting, childcare, costs associated with the child travelling to the experience including travel, equipment hire, food, and having a partner/relative present as a carer.)

Ineligible expenditure items

The funding is not available for the following:

• Short courses, professional development programs, university fees or university degrees.
• Coaching equipment.
• Ongoing membership fees.
• Materials such as stationery, IT equipment, office equipment or sporting equipment.
• One-off conference fees.
• Competition fees.
• Software licenses.

Please note that additional travel and accommodation support will be considered for those living in rural or remote areas, and the estimated costs will need to be provided in the application form.

Letter of support

A letter of support must accompany the individual grant application (uploaded at time of application). The letter of support should be written by an Executive Level member of the Organisation (i.e., CEO, COO, HP Manager).

Please limit the supporting letter to one page.

Please note that you cannot be the endorser of your own application. If you cannot find a suitable endorser, please contact accelerateprogram@ausport.gov.au for guidance.

The below information must be provided in the letter of support:

• Confirmation of the Immersion Experience on behalf of the organisation.
• Confirmation from the Organisation that any funding awarded directly to the organisation under the Athlete Accelerate Immersion Experience Program is to be used solely for the purpose of the Program.
• Clearly outline how the organisation will support the applicant during the experience and, where possible, potential future opportunities.
• Clearly outline how this opportunity will provide the applicant with a meaningful experience.
• The organisation to identify what their contribution may be to the experience (e.g. in-kind, financial, travel, accreditation, etc.)