Providing Financial Assistance to Athletes
Canadian Sport Institute Pacific and a number of our partners provide a variety of ways in which athletes can receive financial assistance.
These grants and bursaries support the competitive needs of amateur athletes in British Columbia.
Applications are now open for the Rising Star and CSI Pacific Health Grants.
Rising Star Grant
The Canadian Sport Institute Pacific (CSI Pacific) recognizes the need for financial aid to support the competitive demands of amateur athletes in British Columbia.
The Rising Star Grant aims to provide provincially and nationally targeted athletes with financial assistance toward their daily training needs. This grant supports registered CSI Pacific athletes who are making a positive impact in their communities while pursuing success at the highest levels of their sport.
This grant is available to athletes residing in the CSI Pacific training regions of Vancouver, Victoria, or Whistler. Funding for this grant is through an endowment from the Vancouver Foundation which supports annual funding. If you’d like to donate and support this grant, more information can be found here.
Eligibility
Athlete must:
- Be registered with CSI Pacific at the Provincial Development, Canadian Development, Elite, or Podium level.
- Not have received this grant within the past 365 days.
- Reside in British Columbia for a minimum of six months per year.
- Be actively registered with CSI Pacific at the Whistler, Vancouver, or Victoria campuses.
- Eligible expenditures for the past 8 months or in the next 4 months.
Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Commitment to training, development and competition
- Athlete’s performance level
- Utilization of funding and need
- Performance goals and community impact
Application
- Applications close on January 31, 2026.
- Award recipients will be announced on February 28, 2026.
- Final grant decisions will be made by the CSI Pacific Grant Committee. All decisions by the committee are final.
Grant statistics
- Approximately $4000 awarded annually in amounts of $1000 and $500
- 95 applications on average received.
- Percent distribution of grants by athlete level: 50% Canadian Elite, 25% Canadian Development, 25% Provincial Development.
Accessibility Support:
If you need assistance completing this grant application, please contact athletegrants@csipacific.ca.
Selection Process
- Canadian Sport Institute Pacific will receive and administer all applications for the Rising Star Grant. Completed applications will be submitted to the selection committee who will determine the recipients based on the allocation of funds available and caliber of submissions.
- Decisions will be made by the CSI Pacific Grant Committee. All decisions by the committee are final.
- Applications will be closed on January 31st, 2026, at 11:59pm (PST). Successful candidates will be notified by email on February 28th, 2026.
Nesters Market Grant
Nesters Market Squamish and Whistler have partnered with Canadian Sport Institute Pacific to offer a grant exclusive to athletes living within the Sea-to-Sky community. The grants’ purpose is to help support registered CSI Pacific athletes who are making a positive impact in the Whistler, Squamish, and/or Pemberton communities while they continue to pursue success at the highest levels of their sport.
This grant is now open to PacificSport, Engage Sport North, nor athletes registered to Vancouver and Victoria campuses.
To apply for the Nesters Market Grant click here.
Eligibility
Nesters Market and Canadian Sport Institute Pacific will award grants valued up $1,000 – to deserving athletes.
This grant funding is intended to be used for: registration fees, travel costs, equipment, other expenses associated with sport participation
Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Be actively registered with Canadian Sport Institute Pacific at the Provincial Development, Canadian Development, Elite or Podium level*;
- Be identified by their respective Provincial or National Sport Organization according to Canadian Sport Institute Pacific’s athlete eligibility criteria;
- Not have previously won the same grant within a 365-day period; and
- Reside in Whistler, Squamish, or Pemberton.
Application
Applications are now closed for the 2023 Summer Grants. Please check back again for our next application window.
CSI Pacific Health Grant
The CSI Pacific Health Grant is designed to support supplementary financial aid to British Columbia’s elite high-performance athletes who are not receiving medical support within their current sport-specific training plan. This grant specifically focuses on the Canadian Athlete Insurance Program (CAIP).
The CSI Pacific Health Grant is designed to support supplementary financial aid to British Columbia’s elite high-performance athletes who are not receiving medical support within their current sport-specific training plan. This grant specifically focuses in two areas: the Dental Support Program and the Canadian Athlete Insurance Program (CAIP).
CSI Pacific Dental Support Program
The Canadian Sport Institute Pacific Dental Support Program will provide a base level of dental services to select high performance athletes registered at the National Team level. Service is only available through a partnership in Victoria; however, athletes from outside the region are eligible to apply if willing to travel.
Eligibility & Criteria
Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Applicants must be living and training in BC and demonstrate a need for dental services.
- Be actively registered with Canadian Sport Institute Pacific – Victoria Campus at the Canadian Elite or Podium level*;
- Be identified by their respective Provincial or National Sport Organization according to Canadian Sport Institute’s athlete eligibility criteria;
- Reside in the Victoria region.
Award
Capacity is limited, and only successful applicants will be notified.
Application
To apply for the CSI Pacific Health Grant click here.
Canadian Athlete Insurance Program (CAIP)
CAIP will provide designated athletes access to insurance coverage for overuse injuries that are sustained while training within their sport. The amount of coverage varies for paramedical services including massage therapy, physiotherapy, and chiropractic. Canadian Sport Institute Pacific will provide a base level of CAIP for athletes who are NOT adequately supported by their NSO, family insurance, and/or other means of accessing medical support through NSO service agreements. This grant is available to High Performance athletes living and training in BC who demonstrate a need for CAIP.
For information about the CAIP rates/premium, please see Premiums/Rates – CANADIAN ATHLETE INSURANCE PROGRAM (CAIP) (mkirsch.ca)
Eligibility Requirements
- Athlete must be registered with Canadian Sport Institute Pacific;
- Athlete must be registered at the Podium, Canadian Elite, Canadian Development level;
- Athlete must show evidence of living in BC with a photocopy of their BC MSP card (Care Card);
- Athlete must complete an application stating why the feel they need CAIP, and how it will contribute to their athletic success;
- Athlete must check with their NSO that they have not been automatically enrolled into CAIP or another insurance program by their NSO;
- Athlete must submit documentation within the designated timeline for application; and
- Athlete must undergo medical screening with a Canadian Sport Institute Pacific medical practitioner.
Award
Bronze Coverage for a year, OR a portion towards covering Silver Coverage or Gold Coverage based on athlete’s needs.
Application
Applications are now open for the 2024 Summer Grants. To apply for the CAIP Grant please click here.