Grant Programs

(Applications will be updated and active for submission in September 2024)

Young Officials Grants

Overview

The National Officials Committee (NOC) recognizes the financial commitment necessary for travel to officiate at USATF national championship meets, particularly for younger officials. The Committee has created grants to encourage the development and advancement of younger officials, and to thereby expand the pool of experienced officials for national level meets. The Committee provides grants of $500.00 for up to 15 younger officials to help offset their expenses in officiating one of the following national championships:

• USATF Masters Indoor Championships
• USATF Masters Outdoor Championships
• USATF National Youth Indoor Championships
• USATF National Youth Outdoor Championships
• USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

1. Be a USATF certified official; and
2. Be 40 years of age or under as of the end of 2023; and
3. Have never officiated a USATF Indoor Junior/Senior championship, USATF Outdoor Junior or Senior championship, Olympic Trials, World championship, or the meets listed above; and
4. Commit to officiating each day of the meet for which selected.

*Note: A grant may be used for any meet listed above if selected after the application is submitted.

Process

Applicants must complete and submit the application form no later than December 15, 2023. The NOC Executive Committee makes selections from among qualified applicants and notifies officials in late December. Grant recipients are assigned to a meet and crew, and are mentored and provided hands-on training at the competition venue. Grant recipients are required to write a report of their experience and submit it to the NOC after the competition.

Questions

Direct questions to the grant program director, Don Berry.

Rising Implement Inspectors Grants

In an effort to develop a greater pool of trained and prepared Implement Inspectors, the National Officials Committee has initiated a grant program. This $500 grant will help two selected officials with the costs involved in traveling to the meet to which they are assigned. Selected officials will be assigned to a crew and will be mentored and provided hands-on training at the competition venue. The recipients will be selected by the officers of the National Officials Committee. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Be a USATF Certified Official
2. Never served as an Implement Inspector at the:
   1. USATF Indoor Championships
   2. USATF Outdoor Championships
   3. USATF U20 Outdoor Championships
   4. U.S. Olympic Team Trials
3. Commit to officiating each day of the meet selected
4. Completion of the application form and submission of the form by the deadline date of December 15, 2023.

PROCESS

Applicants must complete and submit the application form no later than December 15th, 2023. The NOC Executive Committee makes selections from among qualified applicants and notifies officials in late December. Grant recipients are assigned to a meet and crew, and are mentored and provided hands-on training at the competition venue. Grant recipients are required to write a report of their experience and submit it to the NOC after the competition.

QUESTIONS

Direct questions to the grant program director, Robert O. Kern.

Rising Technical Managers Grants

In an effort to develop a greater pool of trained and prepared Technical Managers, the National Officials Committee has initiated a grant program. This $500 grant will help two selected officials with the costs involved in traveling to the meet to which they are assigned. Selected officials will be assigned to work with an experienced Technical Manager and will be mentored and provided hands-on training at the competition venue. Recipients will be selected by the officers of the National Officials Committee. 

According to USATF Rule 123, the Technical Manager shall be responsible for:

1. Ensuring that the track, runways, circles, arcs, sectors, landing areas for field events and all equipment are in accordance with the Rules and shall verify the calibration of electronic measuring equipment. Certification of such shall be made to the appropriate Referee prior to the commencement of the competition.
2. Ensuring that the placement and removal of equipment according to the technical organizational plan for the competition as approved by the Games Committee.
3. Ensuring the technical presentation of the competition areas is in accordance with such plan.
4. Ensuring that the necessary certification under Rule 148.1 exists or has been received before the competition. 

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Be a USATF Certified Official
2. Never served as a Technical Manager at the:
   1. USATF Indoor Championships
   2. USATF Outdoor Championships
   3. USATF U20 Outdoor Championships
   4. U.S. Olympic Team Trials
3. Commit to officiating each day of the meet selected
4. Completion of the application form and submission of the form by the deadline date of December 15, 2023.

PROCESS

Applicants must complete and submit the application form no later than December 15th, 2023. The NOC Executive Committee makes selections from among qualified applicants and notifies officials in late December. Grant recipients are assigned to a meet and crew, and are mentored and provided hands-on training at the competition venue. Grant recipients are required to write a report of their experience and submit it to the NOC after the competition.

QUESTIONS

Direct questions to the grant program director, Robert O. Kern.

Apprentice Referee Grants

In an effort to develop a greater pool of trained and prepared Referees, the National Officials Committee in partnership with the Diversity & Leadership Development (D&L) Committee has initiated a grant program. This $500 grant will help up to three selected officials with the costs involved in traveling to the meet to which they are assigned.

Selected officials will be assigned to work with an experienced Referee.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. Be a USATF Certified Official
2. Certified to officiate at the National or Masters Level
3. Have officiated at one of the following meets:
   1. USATF Indoor Championships
   2. USATF Outdoor Championships
   3. USATF U20 Outdoor Championships
   4. U.S. Olympic Team Trials
   5. World Athletics Championships
   6. USATF Masters Indoor Championships
   7. USATF Masters Outdoor Championships
4. Commit to officiating each day of the meet selected
5. Completion of the application form and submission of the form by the deadline date of December 15, 2023.

Any member of USATF with the relevant experience as an official, regardless of race, religion, age, sexual orientation, or disability, is eligible to apply. However, consistent with the Program goal of diversifying the pool of qualified officials, women and underrepresented minority officials are strongly encouraged to apply.

PROCESS

Applicants must complete and submit the application form no later than December 15th, 2023. The Diversity & Leadership Development (D&L) Committee Committee makes selections from among qualified applicants and notifies officials in late December. In Phase I of the program, the Apprentice Referee will shadow the meet referees for multi-events, running events, and field events on different days. Upon successful completion of Phase I, the Apprentice Referees will be expected to assume a greater degree of responsibility at a subsequent meet but will still officiate under the general direction of the meet referees. Successful completion of both phases of the program is a factor that may be considered by the NOC during the official’s selection processes for championship meets. Grant recipients are required to write a report of their experience and submit it to the NOC after the competition.

QUESTIONS

Direct questions to the grant program director, Delores G. Murray.