QUT-AIS scholarships helping athletes excel in study and sport

19 September 2024

Applications are now open to help athletes looking to balance study and sport through the Australian Institute of Sport’s (AIS) scholarship program with Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

For Patrick Willis and Clea Hall receiving a QUT-AIS scholarship meant that they could continue to train and compete in their sport without sacrificing their academic goals.

Now in its third year, the QUT-AIS scholarship program offers nationally categorised athletes $10,000 paid over two years to help offset expenses that come with competing and studying concurrently.

For archer Patrick Willis, receiving the QUT-AIS scholarship made completing a degree in data science while balancing his training commitments much less stressful.

“The scholarship has been instrumental in supporting me as an archery athlete by helping to cover the costs of expensive equipment and competition costs such as travel, registration and accommodation,” Willis said.

“I've had many instances where I wouldn't have been able to either compete at a competition or complete an assessment without having the academic support and funding that QUT and AIS provide.”

Alongside competing in archery, Patrick Willis is undertaking a degree in data science at QUT.

In addition to the scholarship, successful applicants are also offered access to the AIS Career Practitioner Referral Network and QUT’s Elite Athlete Program providing academic flexibility, support services, personal and professional development opportunities.

Matti Clements, Executive General Manager of AIS Performance at the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), says the scholarship program’s holistic approach to student-athlete wellbeing supports Australian sport’s united commitment to win well.

“Our ongoing partnership with QUT demonstrates our commitment to support Australia’s high performance athletes excel in both sport and in life,” Clements said.

“Balancing high performance sport and education can be challenging. The AIS is proud to partner with a university that understands the commitment required to achieve in both and supports these ambitions through scholarship opportunities.”

QUT’s Director of Sport, Emily Rosemond, added: “It’s great to see this scholarship program now into its third year, we have seen some of the inaugural QUT-AIS scholarship recipients continue to develop and go on to represent their country at the Olympic and Paralympic games while continuing with their studies.

“It shows that with initiatives like the one we have with the AIS, balance can be achieved, and athletes don’t have to make a choice between sport of study, they can do both.”

Find out more about AIS Elite Athlete University Scholarships or visit QUT’s website, opens in a new tab for details on eligibility requirements, the application process and alternative scholarship options, including Elite and Rising Sport Scholarships.

Applications are open now and will close on the 13 January 2025.