Athlete Exceptional Support Fund - Athlete guidance

Purpose of the fund

This fund is aimed at athletes who are experiencing an extraordinary* or unexpected challenge that significantly impacts your ability to engage with the performance programme. This fund aims to provide you with prompt, one-off financial support to ensure that those most in need are supported, with sensitivity and dignity throughout the application process.

*‘extraordinary’ = a circumstance, challenge or situation that is outside of the normal or expected routine, circumstance or expected costs.

If you need support or guidance with your application or to check your eligibility please speak to your performance programme, a Performance Lifestyle Practitioner, or the BEAA for help. 

Fund Guidance

 

Who can apply

The fund is open to all athletes currently in receipt of an Athlete Performance Award (APA) on a high performance programme (World Class Programme (WCP) or Development Sport Performance Programmes.

Those who are on a programme break (including maternity), who are suspended by their NGB and those who have been informed by their performance programme or NGB that they are in transition away from the performance programme, are not eligible to apply.

Criteria

Applications meeting the criteria detailed below will be taken into consideration.

1. Unexpected performance requirements* - Costs arising from unforeseen additional qualification requirements as part of your performance demands for milestone events such as for the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
2. Unexpected equipment or maintenance costs* - Contributions towards or expenses related to significant equipment that cannot be met through performance programme funding and or your APA. Expected wear and tear of equipment will not be considered. 
3. Essential personnel support* - One off costs for unexpected essential personnel support integral to enabling you to compete or attend training. 
4. Travel or accommodation costs* - One off contributions towards unexpected or elevated costs for travel or accommodation due to extraordinary circumstances. Instances where a significant, temporary and unexpected relocation of the daily training environment is required will be considered. 
5. Loss of accommodation - Support for those who lose access to accommodation due to a change in personal circumstance. 
6. Significant and unexpected change in guardian financial circumstances - Consideration for those whose parent, carer, or guardian experiences a sudden change in financial status (such as job loss), especially where they have been contributing significantly to athlete expenses (e.g., providing free or subsidised housing or monthly financial contribution). 
7. Unforeseen personal or financial changes - Support for those facing sudden and significant changes in personal or financial circumstances. 
8. Ongoing hardship - Additional discretionary support for those experiencing prolonged financial difficulty that impacts your ability to engage with or development on the programme. 
9. Extraordinary circumstances - A situation deemed unexpected and extraordinary that has a significant and immediate impact on your ability to perform or remain in the programme.

*Applications involving performance-related costs will be discussed and determined in conjunction with your performance programme.

Please read the guidance document for ineligible costs.

2026 Application submission deadlines

• Window 1 – 4 January 
• Window 2 – 25 January 
• Window 3 – 22 February
• Window 4 - 7 April (taking into consideration Easter bank holidays)
• Window 5 - 26 April
• Window 6 - 28 June
• Window 7 - 26 July
• Window 8 - 31 August
• Window 9 - 27 September
• Window 10 - 1 November
• Window 11 - 22 November (taking into consideration Christmas bank holidays)

How to apply

Application form

 

So that you can prepare everything you need the questions on the application form link are;

Applicant information

• Full Name
• Sport
• PRN
• Email Address or Phone Number

Eligibility confirmation

• I have not applied for this support fund in the last 12 months (tick box)
• Is your performance programme aware that you are making this application?

Request summary

• We would like to understand your circumstances and how it impacts your ability to engage or fulfil the requirements of your performance programme or plan.
• Please describe the circumstance, challenge or situation, including how this is outside of the normal or expected routine or cost.
• Is your sport aware of your circumstances?
• How will this funding change or support your current circumstances?
• Requested amount?
• Please evidence the cost of this spend if it is an intended purchase.
  For example: a screenshot of the item displaying cost and source, a website link. (Please note: If you cannot provide evidence, this may slow down your application and our decision.)
• Please evidence the cost of this commitment if it is an intended purchase (please remember this must have been a commitment within the last 6 months).
  For example: a bank statement, previous transaction receipt or contract. (Please note: If you cannot provide evidence, this may slow down your application and our decision.)

Monthly income and expenditure

• Please provide us with your monthly income and expenditure: Monthly Income:
  • APA
  • Paid Work, Sponsorship, Support from Family and Friends, Other, Total Income)
  • Monthly Expenditure: (Accommodation, Bills, Travel, Childcare, Food, Other, Total Expenditure)

Employment and education status

• Current employment status (please tick that box that applies to you):
  • Full-time employment
  • Part-time employment
  • Casual work
  • Looking for work / recently unemployed
  • Not currently working
• Current education status (please tick that box that applies to you):
  • Full-time formal education (school, college, university)
  • Part-time formal education
  • Vocational course
  • Short course
  • Not currently in education