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Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) - Canada
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Athlete Assistance Program (AAP)

Provides financial support to high-performance Canadian athletes
Canadian Heritage (PCH)
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 27,500
Timeline
  • Open continuously
Location
Canada

Overview

The Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) provides up to $2,175 per month in direct financial support to Canadian high-performance athletes, alleviating financial pressures associated with intensive training and international sport participation. The program supports eligible athletes engaged in national high-performance programs by assisting with living, training, and education-related expenses.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals
  • Increase social or community impact
  • Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
  • Maximum amount : 27,500 $
Timeline
  • Open continuously

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation
Location
  • Canada
Legal structures
  • All legal structures
Annual revenue
  • All revenue ranges
Organisation size
  • All organization sizes
Audience
  • Canadians

Next steps

1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility

Activities funded

  • Providing direct financial support to high-performance Canadian athletes for training and competition at the national and international levels.
  • Supporting Canadian athletes in the pursuit of academic or working careers alongside intensive sport training.
  • Facilitating participation in National Team training programs and events led by recognized National Sport Organizations.
  • Assisting athletes in accessing post-secondary education through targeted tuition support.
  • Providing supplementary assistance to address specific needs, such as high support requirements for Paralympic athletes or relocation for centralized training purposes.

Eligibility

Who is eligible?

  • Canadian National Sport Organizations (NSOs) with high-performance sport programs funded by Sport Canada
  • High-performance Canadian athletes nominated by their eligible NSO

Who is not eligible

  • This program is not open to companies or organizations; it is specifically intended for individual athletes nominated by their National Sport Organization.
  • Businesses, corporations, or entities not engaged in high-performance sport as recognized by an eligible National Sport Organization are not eligible.

Eligible expenses

  • Monthly living and training allowance for approved athletes.
  • Tuition fees for approved courses at eligible Canadian publicly-funded post-secondary institutions (up to an annual and lifetime maximum).
  • Deferred tuition support for eligible athletes to pursue post-secondary studies after their athletic career (up to specified maximums).
  • Supplementary allowances, including Excellence Living and Training Allowance for top performers, Child Dependent Allowance, and Training and Competition Allowance for Paralympic athletes with high support needs (amounts determined by income).
  • Relocation assistance for moving to or from a designated National Team Training Centre (limited to specified transportation and accommodation expenses).
  • Support for new parents to help cover eligible travel costs for a support person attending NSO-required training camps or competitions (subject to maximums and conditions).
  • Retirement assistance for transition support (one-time, subject to eligibility and maximum amount).

Eligible geographic areas

  • Canada (applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and participate in National Sport Organization high-performance programs funded by Sport Canada)

Additional information

  • Over 1,900 athletes across more than 90 sport disciplines receive AAP support each year.
  • The financial support received from the AAP is non-taxable in Canada.
  • Athletes receiving assistance are referred to as "carded athletes," and the funding process is known as "carding."
  • Supplementary support options are available, including allowances for excellence, child dependents, high support needs for Paralympic athletes, relocation, new parents, and retirement assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP)?

The Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) provides up to $2,175 per month in direct financial support to Canadian high-performance athletes, alleviating financial pressures associated with intensive training and international sport participation. The program supports eligible athletes engaged in national high-performance programs by assisting with living, training, and education-related expenses.

How much funding can be received?

Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) Funds up to $27,500 of admissible expenses.

Who is eligible for the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) program?

To be eligible for the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) program, you must: Must be a National Sport Organization (NSO) with a high-performance sport program. NSO's program must receive funding from Sport Canada through the Sport Support Program (SSP) and an AAP carding quota. Must meet national team and high-performance minimum delivery or performance standards as evaluated by Sport Canada.

What expenses are eligible under Athlete Assistance Program (AAP)?

Providing direct financial support to high-performance Canadian athletes for training and competition at the national and international levels. Supporting Canadian athletes in the pursuit of academic or working careers alongside intensive sport training. Facilitating participation in National Team training programs and events led by recognized National Sport Organizations. Assisting athletes in accessing post-secondary education through targeted tuition support. Providing supplementary assistance to address specific needs, such as high support requirements for Paralympic athletes or relocation for centralized training purposes.

Who can I contact for more information about the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP)?

You can contact Canadian Heritage (PCH).

Where is the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) available?

The Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) program is available across Canada.

Is the Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Athlete Assistance Program (AAP) is a Grant and Funding

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