Competition Grants

The SAFA, State Associations and other national bodies support Australian pilots in their competition participation through a variety of grants. This is typically in order to help boost the local economies, foster Australian atheletes or to support improving the Australian standing in International rankings. The following represents a non-comprehensive list of grants and funding schemes which may be available to Australian competition pilots.

Note that funds, grants and schemes change rapidly over time and the list below may contain outdated or inaccurate information.
Please contact the SAFA should you find any information provided no longer valid.

SAFA Overseas Competition Grant

Sponsor - SAFA
What it is - A grant to support our competition pilots in participating in Cat 1 & 2 competitions overseas. International participation in competitions improves the WPRS ranking of our pilots and thereby improves the letters available to pilots for PWC events and boosts the Country ranking of Australia as a competing nation.
What is available - The annually capped grant provides each pilot access to having one international competition entry fee reimbursed per AU competition season.
Where to apply - Applications can be submitted through the following form here

Athlete Pathway Travel Grants

With the assistance and endorsement of the SAFA, NSW and Victoria state paragliding associations have been successful in their applications for support from respective State Sporting bodies on behalf of National and Internationally active competition Pilots. The SAFA is able to endorse the respective State Association if that Association has not independently gained State Sporting Organisation status.

Most States Sporting Authorities offer National and International Athlete grants to assist with travel and accommodation costs incurred in attending major competitions. This also applies to Pilot 'Athletes' who attend National level competitions. As the criteria for applications, are dictated by the providers, accepted submissions must originate from National or State accredited associations (State Sporting Organisations - VHPA etc.). Teams or Individual Athletes must herefor apply for such grants via their State Associations and thus via SAFA.

Levels of external funding available and application periods vary considerably State by State.

Sponsor - State Government Sporting Authorities / Departments / Divisions
What it is - A grant to support State Team pilots and upcoming athletes with the expenses associated with competing in their sports disciplines. Typically and State by state dependent: "the intent of Athlete Grant is to support regional athletes that have progressed into the Talent Development/High Performance pathway of their chosen sport. Athletes must have undergone a selection process endorsed by their respective Regional (RSA)/State (SSA)/National Sporting Association (NSO) to participate at an event/competition within their pathway* that is essential to be considered for selection to a higher level team/event.
What is available - The Pathways grant is targeted at reimbursing a proportion of travel and accommodation expenses incurred from participating in the competition scene Nationally and Internationally.
Where to apply - Through your State Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association.
Links - For direct links to study potential eligibility or prompt you States association to apply on your behalf see examples below:
- NT https://dtc.nt.gov.au/sport-and-recreation/northern-territory-institute-of-sport/athlete-scholarships
- Tas http://www.tis.tas.gov.au/about_us/national_representative_fund