Applications open for AIS Athlete Education Scholarships

Swimmer Grayson Bell received an AIS Athlete Education Scholarship in 2024 which he put towards a Bachelor of Software Engineering.

Athletes pursuing higher education in 2025 are being encouraged to apply for funding support through the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) Athlete Education Scholarship program.

Delivered in partnership with the John and Myriam Wylie Foundation, opens in a new tab, the scholarship program offers grants of up to $5,000 per athlete to go towards study expenses outside of sport.

Based on Australian sport’s united vision to win well, the scholarship aims to alleviate some of the financial pressures that come with balancing study and sport, and support athletes to expand their career options and prepare for life after competition.

Since launching in 2020, the AIS and the John and Myriam Wylie Foundation have awarded over $473,000 in education scholarships to more than 160 student-athletes, including 47 athletes from 19 sports in last year alone.

Grateful to be one of those recipients is reigning Australian 50m breaststroke record holder Grayson Bell, who said the scholarship allowed him to pursue his passions for both swimming and software engineering.

“Balancing academics with the demands of training and competition as an athlete is challenging and the AIS scholarship has significantly eased that burden,” Bell said.

“It’s given me the freedom to focus on my athletic goals while ensuring I can continue to achieve my academic pursuits.

“It’s not just an investment in my education and athletic career, it's an investment in my goals.”

Fellow 2024 Scholarship recipient and wheelchair rugby player Damien Mortaud is also thankful for the support that helped him finish a Certificate IV in Residential Drafting which he hopes will lead to a career making Australia more accessible for people living with a disability.

“I was absolutely honoured to receive the AIS Athlete Education Scholarship. It was instrumental to me finishing my studies and getting me ready to pursue my passion outside of my sport,” Mortaud said.

Wheelchair rugby player Damien Mortaud was also a 2024 scholarship recipient.

The AIS Athlete Education Scholarship is open to categorised athletes who are intending to enrol, currently enrolled, or part way through a course or unit of study from an educational institution that is part of the Elite Sport Education Network (ESEN).

For more information or to apply, visit the AIS Athlete Education Scholarship webpage.

Applications close at 2:00pm AEDT Friday 14 March 2025.