The World Aquatics Scholarships 2026-2027 are now open for elite athletes worldwide, offering a fully funded high-performance training opportunity for swimmers, divers, and other aquatic sports competitors preparing for upcoming international competitions, including the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Managed by World Aquatics, this scholarship program is designed to support national-level athletes who lack access to world-class training facilities in their home countries. The scholarship offers access to international training centers, professional coaching, competition support, accommodation, insurance, and monthly stipends.
The 2026-2027 World Aquatics Scholarship Programme is not a traditional academic scholarship; instead, it is a fully funded athlete development program that helps athletes improve their performance and prepare for the World Championships and Olympic qualification events.
Scholarship Overview
- Fully Funded
- USA Universities
- Masters, Bachelor, Undergraduate
- Sports
- International Students
- USA
Degree Level
The World Aquatics Scholarships 2026-2027 are available for:
- Elite athlete development programs
- International sports training opportunities
This scholarship supports athletes through specialized training rather than academic degree programs.
Available Subjects
The scholarship is open for the following aquatic disciplines:
- Swimming
- Open Water Swimming
- Diving
- Water Polo
- Artistic Swimming
- High Diving
The 2026-2027 cycle also includes High Diving for the first time, expanding opportunities for athletes in less represented aquatic disciplines.
Benefits
Selected athletes will receive a fully funded training package, including:
- Full-board accommodation
- Access to elite international training centers
- World-class coaching
- Competition support
- Insurance coverage
- Monthly stipend / personal allowance
- Career and personal development support
Additionally:
- Swimmers will train in France, Bahrain, Thailand, and Australia
- Divers will train in Canada
- Open water swimmers will train in the United States
- Water polo athletes will train through European club systems
- Artistic swimming duets and high divers will receive flexible grants for customized training programs
A special dual-career academic pathway is also available in Bahrain, allowing athletes to combine education with training.
Eligible Nationalities
The scholarship is open to:
- International athletes from all countries
Selection prioritizes:
- Continental representation
- Gender equality
- Athletes from under-resourced nations
This makes the program especially valuable for talented athletes from countries with limited access to elite sports infrastructure.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the World Aquatics Scholarships 2026-2027, applicants must:
- Be a national team member
- Have international competition experience
- Compete in one of the eligible aquatic disciplines
- Demonstrate strong performance potential for:
- World Aquatics Championships
- Olympic qualification events
- Show a need for elite training support due to limited national resources
Because the scholarship is highly competitive, athletes with proven performance records and clear Olympic potential are most likely to be selected.
Selection Process
Selection is based on:
- Athletic performance history
- International competition results
- Potential for Olympic and world championship qualification
- Need for elite training support
- Regional and gender balance
The program aims to support athletes who are close to elite performance levels but need better infrastructure to reach their full potential.
Application Procedure
Athletes interested in the World Aquatics Scholarships 2026-2027 should follow these steps:
- Review the eligibility requirements for the scholarship program.
- Prepare supporting documents related to athletic performance and competition history.
- Coordinate with your national swimming or aquatic federation.
- Submit the application through the official World Aquatics scholarship process.
- Wait for evaluation and final selection results.
Applicants should ensure that all competition records and recommendations are complete before submission.
Application Deadline
The last date to apply for the World Aquatics Scholarships 2026-2027 is:
30 April 2026
Because of the program’s competitive nature, early preparation is highly recommended.
Why Apply for the World Aquatics Scholarship?
The World Aquatics Scholarship Programme is a major opportunity for athletes who:
- Compete internationally but lack access to elite facilities
- Aim to qualify for the World Championships
- Are preparing for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics
- Need international coaching and structured support
For eligible athletes, this scholarship acts as a career accelerator, helping bridge the gap between talent and top-level performance.