Applicants must address the following selection criteria in their application. Eligible applications will be assessed against these criteria:

• The purpose and benefits of the study for which the applicant is seeking funding;
• Demonstration of financial need, including the benefits and support offered by financial assistance;
• Demonstration of study complementing their high performance activities and preparation for a post athlete career; and
• Demonstration of how they are, or propose to, share the experience of their study to inspire, and for the benefit of others, including other athletes.

All applications will initially be assessed by the AIS against the eligibility criteria. Only one application will be considered per athlete. Applicants who have received an AIS Education Scholarship in previous years will not be eligible.

Eligible applications will then proceed to assessment against the selection criteria through a competitive process. This assessment will be undertaken by an AIS Assessment Panel, which will comprise representatives from the AIS, high performance system, education network and two independent members.

The Assessment Panel will consider each eligible application on its merits based on how well it meets the selection criteria and how it compares to other applications.

The Assessment Panel will provide recommendations for the consideration of the AIS Director, who will provide the final approval for the award of Scholarships under this program.

Before applying for an Athlete Education Scholarship you will need to read and understand these guidelines, including the Terms and Conditions in Appendix 1.

Only one application should be submitted per athlete.

Applications are to be completed online on the AIS website by the closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.

To complete the application, applicants need to have the following information:

• applicant’s current athlete categorisation details
• applicant’s educational institution and course details
• any supporting documentation to your application e.g. academic record/statement, summary of enrolment, transcript etc.
• applicant’s personal and bank account details
• applicant's residential address

You will receive an automated email receipt if the application is submitted successfully. You are responsible for ensuring the completeness and accuracy of the information within the application. Giving false or misleading information is a serious offence under the Criminal Code 1995 and may result in your application being excluded from further consideration.

If you find an error in your application after submitting it, you should contact us immediately using the details below.

If we find an error or information that is missing, we may ask for clarification or additional information from you. However, we do not have to accept additional information or requests from you to correct or change your application after the closing time.

If you need further guidance on the application process or wish to withdraw a submitted application, please contact:

Email: AthleteEducationScholarship@ausport.gov.au

All applicants will be notified by email of the outcome of their application including:

• any funding amount to be awarded; and
• the specific terms and conditions of any funding.

There is no review or appeal process after the final decision is made by AIS.

Successful applicants will enter into an agreement with the AIS in relation to the Scholarship funding, which will be substantially based on the sample terms and conditions at Appendix 1 to these guidelines.

The AIS must treat any personal information according to the Privacy Act 1988 and the Australian Privacy Principles.

Personal information can only be disclosed to someone for the primary purpose for which it is collected, unless an exemption applies.

Personal information submitted via the online application is collected by the AIS for the purpose of considering applications for and administering the Program.

The personal details of successful applicants (including name, home state, sport, the value of the scholarship awarded and a brief description of the purpose for the scholarship) may be released by the AIS to the public and the media for the use of promotional and educational purposes.

To view the AIS Privacy Policy visit: https://www.sportaus.gov.au/legal_information/privacy_policy

Conflicts of interest for AIS staff will be handled in accordance with the organisation’s Conflict of Interest Policy. Assessment Panel members must also declare any conflicts of interest.

If you have any questions regarding the Athlete Education Scholarship program, please contact: AthleteEducationScholarship@ausport.gov.au

If you wish to lodge a complaint regarding the program this can be done via AIS complaints form: www.sportaus.gov.au/contacts/complaints

1. If the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) decides to offer a scholarship under the Program to the applicant (Scholarship), the Scholarship will be awarded subject to any terms the AIS sets out in the applicant’s letter of offer, these terms and conditions, and the Program Guidelines (as updated from time to time) (Agreement).
2. The AIS will make a single payment of the Scholarship amount to the successful applicant (Recipient) subject to sufficient funding being available to the Program and the Recipient complying with this Agreement.
3. The Recipient must: 
   1. promptly notify the AIS if the Recipient becomes aware that he or she no longer fulfils the Eligibility Criteria (as set out in the Program Guidelines) for receipt of the Scholarship;
   2. successfully complete the nominated unit or course of study for which the Scholarship is awarded (Course of Study) by 31 December 2022, at a pass level or greater;
   3. only use the Scholarship as a contribution towards the cost of course fees for the Course of Study or, where the Recipient has already completed the Course of Study - as a reimbursement for those course fees already paid in the period 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022;
   4. keep records detailing the use and expenditure of the Scholarship and make them available to the AIS or its authorised representatives on request;
   5. provide by 31 December 2022, a statement and accompanying evidence in the form required by the AIS, verifying that the Course of Study has been successfully completed and that the Scholarship has been spent in accordance with this Agreement. This may include production of the Recipient’s academic transcript for the Course of Study and evidence of expenditure of the Scholarship.
4. The Recipient:
   1. declares and warrants, at the date of agreeing to these terms and conditions, that he or she has not at any time been found to have breached any anti-doping rule or policy applicable to the Recipient, and has not engaged at any time in any conduct that constituted a breach of any anti-doping rule or policy applicable to the Recipient;
   2. agrees to maintain a high standard of personal behaviour expected of an athlete representing Australia; and
   3. agrees not to do anything to bring the Recipient, the AIS, or the Recipient’s National Sporting Organisation into disrepute.
5. Without limitation to any other rights of the AIS, if the AIS reasonably believes, at any time following the award of the Scholarship, that:
   1. the Recipient has provided false or misleading information in the application process;
   2. the Scholarship has been spent other than in accordance with this Agreement;
   3. the Recipient will not complete the Course of Study at a pass level or greater, or has otherwise breached any of its obligations under this Agreement; or
   4. the Scholarship amount is additional to the requirements of the Course of Study,

   then the AIS may by written notice, require the Recipient to repay to the AIS, at the AIS’s absolute discretion, all or part of the Scholarship. The amount notified must be repaid within 30 days of any such notice.

6. The Recipient must, if requested by the AIS, co-operate with the AIS in relation to promotional and educational initiatives regarding the Program and the AIS’s Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement activities.
7. The personal details of Recipients (including name, home state, sport, the value of the Scholarship awarded and a brief description of the purpose for the Scholarship) may be released by the AIS to the public and the media for the use of promotional and educational purposes.
8. If the Recipient is under 18 years of age, he or she must also obtain agreement of their parent or guardian to these terms and conditions and the Program Guidelines prior to entering this Agreement.
9. The Recipient agrees to indemnify the AIS and its officers, employees and contractors against any claim, loss or damage arising in connection with undertaking the Course of Study, or a breach of this Agreement. This obligation to indemnify the AIS will reduce proportionally to the extent that any act or omission involving fault on the part of the of the AIS, contributed to the claim loss or damage.
10. This Agreement does not create a relationship of employment, or agency between the Recipient and the AIS.
11. This agreement is governed by the law of the Australian Capital Territory.