Grants and Scholarships

The National Strength and Conditioning Association Foundation financially supports higher education of students pursuing a career in the strength and conditioning field, and facilitates strength and conditioning research. The NSCAF supports the following:

Grants

  1. GNC® Nutritional Research
  2. Graduate Research - Master's
  3. Graduate Research - Doctoral
  4. Young Investigator
  5. Senior Investigator
  6. International Collaboration

Scholarships

  1. High School
  2. Minority
  3. Power Systems® Professional
  4. Challenge
  5. Women's

The NSCA is no longer accepting paper applications. Please submit your application electronically through the links provided on this page.

All grant and scholarship applications must be submitted by March 15. Incomplete application packets will not be accepted. Please provide one application per award.

To view and/or print out the application, you will need to use Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have Acrobat on your computer, you may download a free copy by clicking on the logo on this page and following the three easy steps. (Note: The file size and download time will vary depending on the platform you select.)

GENERAL GRANT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for student research grants must have graduate student status during the term of the grant to be considered for funding. At the time of application, student applicants must be a good-standing member of the NSCA before submitting their grant application and all faculty co-investigators or applicants must have maintained concurrent NSCA membership for a period of at least one year prior to the March 15th grant application deadline, as verified by the NSCA Membership Department. All grants are open to all members of the NSCA. Applicants are not eligible to win more than one scholarship or grant in any given year. Applications to one or multiple programs can be made, however, on an annual basis. An individual is only eligible to win each award twice. NSCA employees and their families are ineligible to receive financial awards.

Letters of Recommendation should be e-mailed to:
foundation@nsca-lift.org

Or mailed to:
NSCA Grants and Scholarships
Attn: Membership
1885 Bob Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906

GNC® Nutritional Research Grant

GNC®sponsors this nutrition-based research grant in the amount of $2,500 (indirect, overhead, travel or salary costs are NOT SUPPORTED). The purpose of the project must fall within the mission of the NSCA. One grant will be awarded.

Graduate Research Grant - Master's or Doctoral

This grant program funds graduate research in strength and conditioning that is consistent with the mission of the NSCA. Graduate Research Grants are awarded at the Master's and Doctoral level and require that a graduate faculty member serve as co-investigator. Please indicate clearly which graduate research grant is being applied for (Master's or Doctoral).

Master's Student Research Grant proposals are not to exceed $5,000 (indirect, overhead, travel or salary costs are NOT SUPPORTED). Eligible candidates must be actively pursuing their Master's degree at the time of application.

Doctoral Student Research Grant proposals are not to exceed $10,000 (indirect, overhead, travel or salary costs are NOT SUPPORTED). Eligible candidates must be actively pursuing their Doctoral degree at the time of application, which may include ABD status.

Young Investigator Grant

This grant program funds individuals employed by non-profit research organizations (higher education institution, research institute, hospital, or other recognized independent research organization) who are within seven (7) years from conferral of their Doctorate degree (PhD or MD degree or equivalent). The maximum award is $15,000 (indirect, overhead, travel or salary costs NOT SUPPORTED) and the purpose of the research project must be consistent with the mission of the NSCA. Applicants must have been a NSCA Member at least one year prior to the application deadline.

Senior Investigator Grant

This grant program funds full-time faculty members in a senior faculty position at the rank of Associate Professor or higher. The purpose and specific aims of the research project must be consistent with the Mission of the NSCA. General eligibility requirements state that all applicants to this program must have maintained concurrent NSCA membership for a period of no less than five years prior to submitting the grant application. Awards in the amount of $25,000 will be made as part of this program.

International Collaboration Grant

The NSCA International Collaboration Grant has been established to solicit creative proposals to facilitate collaboration among NSCA Members and international colleagues. Applicants can apply to visit one or multiple international colleagues or propose to host one or multiple international colleagues in support of the proposed project. A total of $50,000 will be made available from this program each year with no predetermined limit on the number of awards to be made annually. This award is the only NSCA grant which will provide for travel expenses directly related to the activity including transportation costs (airfare, train, automobile, etc.), lodging, per diem, local travel and other expenses directly related to the proposed activity, in addition to the necessary expenses to complete the proposed research project. Travel expenses are to be limited to 50% of total budgeted costs and cannot exceed $10,000. No salary or indirect costs will be supported by this grant. Applicants must have maintained concurrent NSCA membership for at least five consecutive years prior to application. All NSCA members, regardless of rank or position, are eligible to apply. Renewable term or individuals in post-doctoral positions are not eligible.

With the exception of the International Collaboration Grant, all NSCA grant programs will NOT provide funding for overhead or indirect costs, salary of any kind, or travel.

GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Items that each NSCA Review Panel considers in each application packet:

  • Grades/GPA
  • Courses Completed
  • Overall Academic Achievement
  • Strength and Conditioning Experience
  • NSCA Involvement
  • Honors and Awards
  • Community Involvement
  • Essay that is based on clarity, expression, goals, lucidity, grammar, and articulateness
  • Letters of Recommendation should be e-mailed to: foundation@nsca-lift.org

Or mailed to:
NSCA Grants and Scholarships
Attn: Membership
1885 Johnson Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Challenge Scholarship

The Challenge Scholarship is given to NSCA Members seeking either an undergraduate or graduate degree in a strength and conditioning-related field. Awards in the amount of $1,500 are granted and are to be applied toward tuition charges accrued by the student.

High School Scholarship

This program provides funding to high school seniors preparing to enter college. Students must demonstrate their acceptance into an accredited institution, their intention to graduate with a degree in the strength and condition field, their goals beyond college and their track record of community service. $1,500 awards are available.

Specific Requirements:

  1. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher, based on a 4.0 system
  2. Must be a current senior in high school
  3. Will be attending college in the Fall following high school graduation
  4. Will major in a strength and conditioning-related field

Minority Scholarship

This scholarship is designed to encourage minorities, ages 17 and older, to enter into the field of strength and conditioning. Minority is defined as "ethnic minority," as determined by the Bureau of Census. The applicant must be one of four ethnic qualifications: Black, Hispanic, Asian American, or Native American. Applicant must demonstrate they have been accepted into an accredited institution working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree in the strength and conditioning field. Awards of $1,500 will be available.

Power Systems® Professional Scholarship

The Power Systems® Professional Scholarship program assists members in their pursuit of a career as a strength and conditioning coach. One $1,500 award will be granted toward student tuition fees.

Specific Requirements:

  1. Must be an undergraduate or graduate student in good standing
  2. Must be working under a strength and conditioning coach in the school's athletic department (student assistant, volunteer, or graduate student)

Women’s Scholarship

This scholarship is designed to encourage women, ages 17 and older, to enter into the field of strength and conditioning. Applicants must demonstrate they have been accepted into an accredited institution and are working toward an undergraduate or graduate degree in the strength and conditioning field. Awards of $1,500 will be available.