The La Trobe Elite Athlete Support Fund (EASF) has been established to support student athletes in pursuit of their sporting endeavours, whilst undertaking tertiary study. Funding is available to currently enrolled students who are recognised as members of the La Trobe Elite Athlete Program (LEAP).
The Elite Athlete Support Fund aims to provide financial support to our athletes in the form of one-off grants towards the costs incurred to the athlete associated with elite competition. Athletes can apply to the EASF via submission of an application form to La Trobe Sport, at least one month prior to competition.
Applicants may only receive funding from the EASF once per calendar year, except for when a student athlete is competing at an international FISU World University Games or Championship event in that same year. In this instance, students will be eligible for funding through the EASF for the FISU event, and for a ‘standard’ EASF application.

The level of funding an athlete will receive will be assessed in reflection of the representative level and location of competition. Students can receive up to $2000 for international competition, with tiered funding beneath this for domestic and local competition. Student athletes competing at FISU World University Games or Championship events are eligible for up to $2000 dependent on location of event and costs associated. La Trobe elite athletes that are competing at the Olympic or Commonwealth Games are eligible for EASF grants of up to $4000 to assist with their preparation prior to the Olympics or Commonwealth Games, and/or unfunded expenses associated with travel for the event. La Trobe Olympic and Commonwealth athletes are also considered eligible to apply for funding if a Leave of Absence has been taken due to their sporting commitments at that time.

All funding will be paid as a reimbursement, following the completion of competition, and submission of a competition report. Athletes must provide a competition report including: receipts of expenses, summary of results, personal statement and photos of the event, to La Trobe Sport within 1 month of the completion of the event.

 

Criteria:

1. Athletes must be recognised on the La Trobe Elite Athlete Program to be eligible to apply.
2. The Elite Athlete Support Fund will only cover expenses associated with:
- Flights to and from the competition location
- Accommodation for the duration of the competition
- Travel insurance costs
- Event/competition registration costs
3. Applications must be submitted in advance of the competition; at least 1 month prior to competition (exemptions may apply in exceptional circumstances). Applications will not be accepted after a competition has occurred.
4. Application does not result in guaranteed funding; all applications will be assessed individually with preference given to athletes representing at international competition.
5. All funding will be paid on a reimbursement basis, following the completion of the competition - at this time students must be enrolled (Olympic and Commonwealth Games athletes may be eligible if on Leave of Absence).
6. A competition report, including receipts of expenses, must be submitted subsequent to competition in order to receive funding.
7. Athletes may only receive funding from the EASF once per calendar year (exemptions apply for competition in FISU World University events as stated above).