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Athlete Application

Athlete Applications for the Lloyd Cowan Bursary and Sophie Hahn Para-Athlete Fund are Closed

The next rounds open in late autumn 2026. Follow us on social media for updates.

Check Back in Autumn

Guidance Notes

The Sophie Hahn Para-Athlete Fund aims to remove financial barriers for emerging para-athletes by offering targeted support for training, equipment and competition costs, helping them progress in the sport. It sits alongside the Lloyd Cowan Bursary, which supports young athletes aged 16-23, and coaches through grants and access to kit of up to £500, reflecting a shared commitment to development across athletics.

Applications are invited from licensed athletes aged 15-30 who are eligible to represent Great Britain and Northern Ireland who face cost barriers to developmental opportunities. 

Athletes must hold a national para-athletics classification and provide supporting documentation.

The application should demonstrate clearly the difference that the grant will make to your progress in para athletics. For example, the grant could be used to fund additional training, transport, treatment costs for sports injury, and physiotherapy or go towards specialised kit. Please include in your application: 

  • A breakdown of how much you are requesting (a typical award would be up to £500 maximum with access to Nike kit).
  • Your current level of competition, your sporting experience to date and your ambitions in athletics
  • How the proposed funding would benefit you and help you achieve your goals
  • Any other funding you receive from other organisations.

The Sophie Hahn Para-Athlete Fund will award grants once a year. Application opening and closing dates will be advertised on our online platforms.

Decisions will be made by the selection panel and communicated within four weeks of close of application. It is important that the applicant provides clear and concise information for consideration. All applicants will be notified of the outcome via the contact details submitted on the application form. Decisions are final, and there is no system of appeal.

We ask that successful applicants use the various social media platforms available to them to thank and promote the Sophie Hahn Para-Athlete Fund and the Lloyd Cowan Bursary.

Applications should be submitted electronically via the published link. Please ensure the application is clear and concise.

Any Queries

Athlete Application

Start Here

Please read and prepare your answers for all questions offline, if necessary, to copy and paste later, as the system does not save progress.

Complete this application form if you are a registered and currently licensed athlete under the governing bodies of Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, or England.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
I consent to the storage of my submitted information in order to process this application
To comply with EU GDPR regulations, you must agree that you are voluntarily submitting personal information that we shall keep in order to process and respond to this application. We shall collect your personal information solely for the purpose of communicating with you in regard to the Lloyd Cowan Bursary. We shall not share this information with any third parties, but we may use your name or Social Media profile to promote Lloyd Cowan Bursary activities, the application process or the award itself.

Personal Information

Name of Athlete Applicant:
Date of Birth:
Address:
Social Media handle: (Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Other)

Athletics Information

Club, NGB, Event description, Coach details etc.
Event/s Description
At what level are you currently performing? e.g. local league, county. Please give an indication of how you are training for your sport and the type of competitions you are entering. Please demonstrate any progress and your successes and achievements in the last year
Name of Coach:
Name of person applying if the applicant is under 18.
Address if different to applicant’s:

Information About Your Application

What is the funding for? Please include the difference the grant will make. Give as much detail as possible.
If you need athletics clothing or shoes, please select from the options below. We have limited stock of new trainers and spikes, as well as access to some clothing. If your application is successful, we will request more details.
Please provide your UK shoe size above.
Please provide your UK clothing size above.
Please specify other items not listed and size you require.
Are there any hardship factors, personal, family or financial, to be considered?
Do you receive any other financial assistance, e.g., from your club, charities, local authority or private sponsorship?

Referees

References: Please provide the names and contact details (including email addresses) of individuals who can support your application. We recommend selecting a coach, club committee member, or someone from your educational establishment.

Declaration

The details I have given on this form are true and correct. I understand that my application may be cancelled or I will be required to refund the bursary if I give false or misleading information or withhold relevant information. Successful individuals would be required to be profiled in future articles or newsletters about their progress within their sport.