The Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) mission is to lead and enable a united high performance (HP) system that supports Australian athletes/teams to achieve podium success.

The Para Athlete Barriers Fund is a grant program to support categorised athletes to overcome individual barriers to their progression or performance in Para sports.

The ASC has allocated a total of $300,000 to the 2026 Para Athlete Barriers Fund grant program. Eligible individual applicants may submit one application and are eligible to receive a maximum of one grant of up to $4,000.

Applicants are encouraged to work with their coach and/or Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Manager to identify how support from the Fund could best enhance their performance or progression.

To be eligible to apply for the Fund applicants must:

• be an athlete supported by an ASC recognised National Sporting Organisation (NSO) or National Sporting Organisation for people with Disability (NSOD) in a para sport
• be categorised into one of the following disciplines as per the Athlete Categorisation Framework:
  • Podium
  • Podium Ready
  • Podium Potential
  • Developing
  • Emerging
• be actively participating with a recognised NSO/D in training and competition within their para sport;
• have no anti-doping rule violations at any time; and
• have no match fixing offences at any time.

• Email: ParaAthleteBarriers@ausport.gov.au