Scholarships for Aspiring Athletes – Scholarships have become necessary in the realm of competitive sports, serving as crucial tools to empower aspiring athletes worldwide in their pursuit of excellence. Numerous organisations across the globe actively contribute to this endeavour by offering a diverse range of scholarships.
Many government and private organisations in India offer athletic scholarships in both national and international sports. These initiatives provide invaluable support and resources, enabling athletes to realise their athletic dreams and reach new heights of success in their chosen disciplines.
This article provides a list of scholarships for aspiring athletes offered in India. It also provides an overview of the eligibility criteria, the application process, benefits, and providers.
Scholarships for Aspiring Athletes – Overview
Sports scholarships for aspiring athletes are provided by many organisations to support their athletic journey. These scholarships provide financial assistance, recognition, and a host of other benefits to support athletes in their pursuit of athletic excellence and personal growth.
Beyond financial assistance, these scholarships are also designed to provide coaching and mentorship to athletes. Here is a list of sports scholarships offered to athletes of all ages.
Scholarships for Aspiring Athletes – A List of Sports Scholarships
1) Jyoti Prakash Scholarship Program for Sportspersons
Jyoti Prakash Scholarship Program for Sportspersons is one of the scholarships for aspiring athletes offered by the Buddy4study India Foundation. The program supports students who have represented in state, national and international sports competitions.
The financial support provided by this program covers educational and sports expenses for the students studying Classes 9 to 12, graduation, or post-graduation courses. Selected candidates will receive a scholarship of up to INR 24,000 to cover their academic and sports expenses.
Provider: Buddy4study India Foundation
Eligibility Criteria:
- To be eligible for the scholarship, a sportsperson must have participated at the state, national, or international level in the last 3 years.
- An applicant must be in the age group of 14 to 25 years as on July 31, 2023.
- Also, an applicant has to be an Indian citizen.
- They must be involved in sports like chess, cricket, golf, tennis, boxing, football, table tennis, badminton, etc. to be eligible for the scholarship.
- The annual family income of the applicant must not exceed INR 6 lakh per annum.
Note:
- Kindly check the complete list of eligible sports mentioned before the FAQ section.
- Children of Buddy4Study employees are not eligible for the scholarship.
Benefits:
The scholarship provides an amount ranging from INR 15,000 to INR 24,000 to the selected candidates.
Last Date to Apply: 31st July 2023
2) ONGC Sports Scholarship Scheme 2023-24
The ONGC Sports Scholarship Scheme 2023–24, initiated by ONGC’s Corporate Sports Division, extends financial support to promising young athletes with exceptional potential in their chosen sports. These scholarships for extracurricular activities are associated with sports and provide financial support to deserving athletes, helping them achieve their dreams.
Provider: Corporate Sports Division of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC)
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants should be Indian athletes between the ages of 14 and 25. However, for sports categories like Chess, Gymnastics, and Swimming, the minimum age of the applicants will be 10 years.
- Applicants should not have received any other scholarship or stipend from any organisation during the scholarship period. Applicants must provide a written undertaking stating their compliance with this requirement.
Number of Scholarships: 250
Benefits:
Sub Junior:
- International Level – INR 20,000
- National Level – INR 15,000
Junior:
- International Level – INR 25,000
- National Level – INR 20,000
Senior:
- International Level – INR 30,000
- National Level – INR 25,000
Other Facilities:
- Selected sportspersons for the scholarship will have the opportunity to represent the ONGC team in various national competitions.
- They will receive financial support for travel expenses and participation costs.
- Additionally, they will be provided with ONGC-branded playing kits to wear during their competition appearances.
- The scholarship holders will have the option to avail an individual health insurance coverage of INR 5 lakh exclusively for themselves.
- Moreover, the individuals are responsible for obtaining their own health insurance coverage, with ONGC reimbursing premiums of up to INR 7,000.
Duration of the Scholarship: The scholarship will be provided for a period of one year.
Last Date to Apply: 27th March 2023
3) Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship & Mentorship Programme for Sportsperson 2022-23
Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship & Mentorship Programme for Sportsperson 2022-23 is an initiative taken by Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited to support the athletes in India by providing scholarships and mentorships.
The objective of the program is to provide the necessary support to deserving candidates to pursue their academic and sports journey. The other details about the scholarship program are listed below:
Provider: Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates must have participated at the state/national level in their respective areas of sports in the last 3 years
- Only Indian citizenship holders are eligible.
- Candidates applying for this scholarship must be aged between 9 and 20 years as of August 2022.
- The annual family income of the candidates must not exceed INR 5 lakh.
- They should be affiliated with a sports coach or a recognized sports academy or federation.
- Also, they must play individual sports like martial arts, chess, swimming, badminton, running, weightlifting, gymnastics and others.
Benefits:
- Selected candidates will receive financial support of INR 75,000 per annum for 3 consecutive years.
- They will also receive mentorship support from the scholarship provider.
Last Date to Apply: 30th June 2023
4) Anjum Chopra Sports Scholarship 2023
The Anjum Chopra Sports Scholarship 2023 is provided by PUSH Sports, a private organisation in India dedicated to promoting gender equality and enhancing women’s participation in cricket.
This scholarship program aims to select and support 10 talented female cricketers each year, offering them valuable assistance in their sporting journey. The key details about the scholarship are mentioned below:
Provider: PUSH Sports
Eligible Sport: Cricket
Eligibility Criteria:
- Indian women cricketers aged between 14 and 25 years are eligible to apply.
- Candidates must be part of the state cricket teams.
Benefits:
- Selected candidates will receive a financial grant of INR 1 lakh per annum.
- They will also get career exposure through domestic and international tours.
- Also, the opportunity to train with top coaches at PUSH Sports Arena in India.
Duration of the Scholarship: 12 months
Last Date to Apply: Open throughout the year
Scholarships for Aspiring Athletes – Application Links
Scholarships for Aspiring Athletes – List of Other Sports Scholarships
In addition to the aforementioned scholarships available for aspiring athletes, there are various other sports scholarships offered as well. A list of other sports scholarships is mentioned below:
- GIIS Global Sports Scholarship 2023
- AAI Sports Scholarship Scheme in India 2023-24
- NHPC Sports Scholarship
- HCL My Scholar Sports Scholarship 2022-23
Eligible Sports for Jyoti Prakash Scholarship Program for Sportspersons: Complete List of Eligible Sports
Scholarships for Aspiring Athletes – FAQs
What is the sports quota in India?
The sports quota, also known as the sports reservation, is a policy implemented by educational institutions, government organisations, and sometimes private companies to provide special consideration or reserved slots for individuals with exceptional sporting talent. It allows sportspersons to secure admission or employment opportunities based on their achievements in sports.
Are there scholarships specifically for certain sports?
Yes, many scholarships are specific to certain sports, such as the Indian Oil Sports Scholarships that annually support 23 Indian footballers. In contrast, the Anjum Chopra Sports Scholarships are exclusively dedicated to empowering talented women cricketers in India.
What is the Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship & Mentorship Programme for Sportspersons?
The Colgate Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship & Mentorship Programme for Sportspersons is a scholarship and mentorship program designed to support promising young sportspersons in India. It is funded by Colgate-Palmolive (India) Limited and aims to provide financial assistance, guidance, and mentorship to help them pursue their sporting aspirations while continuing their education.
What is PUSH Sports?
PUSH Sports is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) committed to advancing the development of women's and girls' cricket in India. Their mission is to foster equal opportunities and representation for females in all facets of the sport, promoting gender inclusivity and empowerment.
What are the documents required for the Jyoti Prakash Scholarship Program for Sportspersons?
To complete the application process, candidates are required to provide proof of age, an Aadhaar card for identification purposes, proof of family income, a recent passport-size photograph, and a certificate showcasing their participation or notable achievements in the relevant field.