Stay in Play Grant

The Stay in Play grant program is administered by the Luka Doncic Foundation, a private philanthropic organization focused on helping young people develop through sports, creativity, and wellness. The program is designed to address a critical dropout point in youth athletics, particularly for athletes between the ages of 12 and 15, when increased costs, competitive pressures, and limited access to resources can prevent continued participation. Through this initiative, the foundation seeks to remove financial barriers and ensure that committed young athletes can continue training, competing, and developing in their chosen sport. The primary purpose of the Stay in Play grant is to provide one-year, needs-based financial assistance to eligible youth athletes around the world. Funding is awarded based on demonstrated need and is intended to support continued participation in organized sports. Grants are capped at a maximum of 25000 USD per athlete, though the exact award amount is determined at the discretion of the foundation based on each applicant’s circumstances. A minimum of 25 grants will be awarded in the initial cycle. Funds may be distributed in installments and are contingent upon submission of a detailed expense budget, a formal grant agreement, and verification of expenses through receipts or other documentation. Allowable uses of funds include a range of sport-related expenses that commonly present barriers to participation. These include training or coaching fees, equipment and gear purchases, travel expenses for training or competition, and club, league, or program fees. Additional expenses that directly enable continued participation in sports may also be considered if properly justified and documented. All expenses must be verifiable and incurred within the grant period. The program does not indicate any matching requirement or cost share obligation for recipients. Eligibility is restricted to individual athletes between the ages of 12 and 15 at the time of application who have demonstrated at least six months of commitment to their sport. Applicants must reside in one of the eligible countries for the first year of the program, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, Slovenia, Croatia, and Serbia. Applicants must be enrolled in an educational institution and in good academic standing. Athletes must compete in sports recognized by the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, or affiliated federations. Individuals with professional contracts or commercial sponsorships are not eligible. Applications must be initiated by a parent or legal guardian, who is responsible for consent and verification. The application process is conducted through an online portal and requires several components. A parent or guardian must first complete a consent and eligibility verification form. Following this, the youth applicant completes their portion, which includes short answer responses and a personal statement. Applicants must also secure a letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, or mentor. Finalists are selected for interviews, which are scheduled to take place in November. Only one application per athlete is permitted. The timeline for the program begins with the application period opening on June 24, 2026, and closing on August 20, 2026, at 1159 PM Pacific Time. Applications are reviewed between August and October, with finalists selected in November. Award recipients are announced in December 2026. The program appears to be structured as an annual initiative, with plans to expand geographic eligibility in future cycles. For inquiries, applicants may contact the foundation via email at stayinplay@lukadoncicfoundation.org or through general information channels provided by the organization.

Complete parent section first before youth portion; secure a recommender early to avoid delays; ensure all expenses and commitments are clearly explained; monitor email for updates and interview notifications