Elite Athlete & Performer Program Grants

• In 2025 there is one Elite Athlete & Performer Program Scholarship and two categories of Elite Athlete & Performer Program grants available to those actively registered with the UniSA Elite Athlete & Performer Program (EAPP).  
  
  
• Please be aware that applications for these grants must be made via myScholarships.  Your registration with the EAPP does not mean you will be automatically considered for a grant.
  
  
• Please ensure all supporting documentation meets the necessary requirements. 

• For more information about the EAPP grants, including how to apply and to enquire on the progress of your lodged applications please review the FAQ below before contacting scholarships.prizes@unisa.edu.au.

UniSA Elite Athlete & Performer Travel Grant 

The UniSA Athlete & Performer Travel Grant provides financial reimbursement to students registered on the UniSA Elite Athlete & Performer program who meet the criteria of the grant.  The grant supports attendance at specific state, national and international events through reimbursement of defined fees incurred. 

The reimbursement is paid post-competition, not prior to. 

Fees incurred as a result of participation in a UniSport Nationals event will not be eligible for reimbursement if the event is eligible for UniSA Sport funding to UniSA Sport participants.  

(For information regarding events that are eligible for UniSA Sport funding, please contact UniSA Sport staff)

The grant can be used for the following:

• flights
• accommodation
• registration fees
• official uniforms

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

• Registered UniSA Elite Athlete or Elite Performing Artist
• Australian citizen or Australian Permanent Resident
• Active in a University of South Australia undergraduate program, postgraduate program or UniSA College foundation studies
• Enrolled in at least one course for the relevant study period (at the time of application)
• Participating in a specific state, national or international sporting event, performance or performing competition in the current calendar year.   Only one perfomance / event / competition will be reimbursed to a student in a calendar year.

Please note the following: 

• Applications will be assessed and allocated in chronological order of receipt until available funds are exhausted.
• Applications finalised after an application closing date will not be accepted.
• There are a high level of applications and a limited number of grants available annually. Your application does not guarantee an offer.
• Only one UniSA Elite Athlete & Performer Travel grant will be awarded per student in a calendar year.
• Only one performance / sporting event will be reimbursed to a student in a calendar year.
• Students will not be reimbursed for costs incurred during a regular sporting season/competition.  The grant is for specific events only.  
• Fees incurred as a result of participation in a UniSport event are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Payment will be processed 2-4 weeks after the application closing date.

Value:

• Up to $2,000 for event taking place internationally
• Up to $1,500 for event taking place interstate (according to student's home location)
• Up to $1,000 for state/local event

How to apply: 

• Online applications are via myScholarships (via logging on to the myUniSA student portal). 
  • Applicants will be required to upload a letter from their sporting body / association containing the following: 
    1. confirmation of their selection for the competition / event
    2. the name, date(s) and location of the competition / event
    3. an itemised breakdown of the costs that they are directly responsible for as a result of the competition / event, specifically the following (if applicable):
       • flights
       • accommodation
       • registration fees
       • uniform
• Applications must be made after the final date of your competition / event,  preferably in the round immediately after your competition / event (table below). 
• Competition / event must be in the same calendar year.  
• Applications made before the final date of your competition / event will only be accepted during Round 4 when a sporting event, performance or performing competition is held during November / December 2025.  Payment will still be made 2-4 weeks after the application closing date.

Application opening rounds 

The UniSA EAPP Travel Grant will be open for applications multiple times throughout 2025:  

  *Australian Central Standard Time

UniSA Elite Athlete & Performer Study Grant

These grants provide financial assistance to students registered with the UniSA Elite Athlete & Performer program. 

Value: $2,000

Pro-rata payments will apply for part-time enrolment.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

• A registered UniSA Elite Athlete or Elite Performing Artist
• Australian citizen or Australian Permanent Resident
• Active in a University of South Australia undergraduate program, postgraduate program or UniSA College foundation studies
• Enrolled in at least one course for the relevant study period 
• Demonstrable evidence of financial hardship

Whilst low socio-economic status is the primary criterion for the Elite Athlete & Performer Study Grant, applications will be weighted according to other equity indicators, including:

• first in family to study higher education
• identify as Aboriginal 
• living in a regional area within the last 4 years
• Australian Institute of Sport categorisation
• The grant will be awarded on the basis of financial disadvantage and other equity criteria.

How to apply: 

Applications are accessed through myScholarships (via logging on to the myUniSA student portal). 

  *Australian Central Standard Time

Please note:

• There are a limited number of grants available annually.
• Only one EAPP Study Grant will be allocated to a student in a calendar year.

UniSA Elite Athlete Scholarship

As an Elite Athlete Education Network (EAEN) approved university‚ the University of South Australia (UniSA) has a proud history of supporting elite athletes to achieve their best in their sport and studies.
The UniSA Elite Athlete Scholarship recognises the financial constraints that impact elite athletes when undertaking tertiary study. The scholarship is designed to assist the recipient with reducing these pressures‚ supporting them to achieve academic excellence while also pursuing a high level in their sporting career.

The Elite Athlete Scholarship will be awarded to a South Australian student who is commencing university for the first time in 2024‚ is enrolled to study a UniSA undergraduate program‚ and meets the elite athlete criteria‚ including elite athletes with a disability.
The successful applicant will have their name and UniSA program published on the UniSA website to announce their awarding of the scholarship.
The successful applicant must maintain enrolment in a UniSA undergraduate program and satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for the scholarship in subsequent years.

To be eligible students must:
  - Be a commencing UniSA student enrolled in a UniSA undergraduate program
  - Be starting university for the first time
  - Completed the majority of secondary education in South Australia
  - Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia
  - Registered in the UniSA Elite Athlete Performer Program (EAPP) prior to the scholarship closing date
  - Currently competing in or training in a sport with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) or the South Australian Institute of  Sport (SASI) toward an Olympic‚ Paralympic‚ Commonwealth‚ World Championship‚ and/or World Para Championship level.
  - submit the following:
  - a supporting statement describing how the Elite Athlete Scholarship will support your sport and academic endeavours.
  - a letter from SASI or AIS confirming that you are currently competing or training toward an Olympic‚ Paralympic‚ Commonwealth‚ World Championship‚ and/or World Para Championship level.

When assessing applications preference will be given to applicants who:
  - identify as Aboriginal
  - are a student with a disability
  - are first in family to attend university
  - can demonstrate financial disadvantage
  - are Lesbian, Gay, Bi+, Transgender, Intersex, Queer* and/or Asexual
  - have a refugee background

Value: $80,000
The scholarship recipient receives $20‚000 per annum (to a maximum of $80‚000‚ for up to four years of full-time study (or part-time equivalent)‚ to support their educational and living expenses.

Scholarship payments will be made following Study Period 2 and Study Period 5 census dates. Pro-rata payments will apply for part-time enrolment.

To maintain ongoing eligibility for the Elite Athlete Scholarship‚ the following conditions apply:
  • Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress as per the Academic Review Procedure
  • Recipients may transfer to another program at UniSA but must remain enrolled‚ except for periods of approved leave.
  • Where the scholarship recipient’s elite athlete status has changed‚ or they have not maintained satisfactory academic progress‚ the Registrar and Director: SAS will assess their circumstances and determine whether the scholarship continues to be honoured.
  • Recipients who have been granted approval to defer their program of study will have their scholarship deferred for up to one (1) year. Students can take approved leave after the first semester of study for no longer than one (1) year and still retain the scholarship. Scholarship payments will not be made during any approved periods of leave. Exceptions outside these conditions are at the discretion of the Registrar and Director: SAS.

For more information contact:
Scholarships Office
Student and Academic Services
Phone: (08) 8302 1769
Email: Scholarships.Prizes@unisa.edu.au

FAQs: Elite Athlete & Performer Program Grants

• How long will the grants be open?

The EAPP Study Grant will have two opening rounds in 2025. 

The EAPP Travel Grant will have four opening rounds in 2025.   The rounds are open for approximately 3 - 4 weeks.  

Due to COVID-19 and subsequent travel and event restrictions, application opening rounds are subject to change.  Please keep visiting this website for the latest information. 

• How many grants are available? 

Both grants have a finite funding allocation.

The number of EAPP Study Grants issued will depend on the number of eligible applicants.  

The number of EAPP Travel Grants issued will depend on the number of eligible applicants and the reimbursement $ amounts requested by eligible applicants (maximum possible reimbursement is $2000).  The applications will be assessed and allocated in chronological order of receipt until the available funds are exhausted. 

There has been a very high level of applications for these grants, particularly the Travel grant, and an application will not guarantee an offer.

• How do I apply and what will I need to provide?

Applications for the EAPP Travel Grant and EAPP Study Grant are via ‘myScholarships” on your student portal.

• Click apply
• Submit your online answers to the eligibility criteria
• Upload all requested supporting documentation within your online application

• Which application round should I apply in?

EAPP Study Grant: Applications for the EAPP Study Grant can be in either round, however a recipient can only receive the funding for the EAPP Study Grant once per calendar year.

Applications made after the closing date of the application round will not be accepted. 

EAPP Travel Grant: It is preferable that you submit an application for the EAPP Travel Grant in the round that immediately falls after your event / competition.  The table above provides dates for the opening and closing dates of each round. 

Applications made before the final date of your event / competition will not be accepted. 

Applications made after the closing date of the application round will not be accepted. 

If you are unable to submit an application during the relevant application round due to sporting or performing demands, please contact Scholarships.Prizes@unisa.edu.au. 

Applications must be made in the same calendar year as the event.

A recipient can only receive the funding for the EAPP Travel Grant once per calendar year.

• Can I apply for both the EAPP Travel Grant and the EAPP Study Grant?

Yes, an eligible student may receive both the EAPP Travel grant and EAPP Study grant in a calendar year. 

• How can I check if I’m currently registered with the EAPP?

Please contact Director.SAS@unisa.edu.au to confirm if you are registered with the program.

• Where can I find more information about the EAPP and check if I am eligible? 

Information regarding the EAPP can be found on the UniSA website at https://www.unisa.edu.au/Study-at-UniSA/Elite-athletes-and-performers/How-to-apply/ 

• I didn’t submit an application or my supporting documentation before the grant application period closed. Can I submit a late application? 

Late applications will not be accepted for the EAPP grants. 

Please note that applications with outstanding supporting documentation will also not be accepted for review.

• When will I find out if I will be offered an EAPP grant?

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application within a month of the closing date.  For successful recipients, payments will be processed after the relevant study period census date.

For more information on grant payment processes, please click here. 

For more information on 2025 Study Period census dates, please click here. 

• Will the EAPP grants be offered in 2026?

At this stage we are unable to advise you accurately in regards to re-opening the grants, as they will be subject to review for future years.