European Aquatics President Antonio Silva has flagged up a new scheme to finance key developments in the sport as part of the EA Strategic Plan & Action Plan 2024-2030.
Starting today, the European Aquatics Academy is seeking applications for Research, Development and Innovation grants aimed at supporting projects that will have an impact upon European Aquatics communities – specifically athletes, coaches, officials and national federation managers.
Up to three grants of €5,000 will be available, with funding being offered for a year from the project starting date.
Interested parties have eight weeks to submit their proposals, which will be reviewed on a rolling basis in a process that will remain open until the €15,000 budget is fully granted.
The eventual recipients will be invited to present their work to the EAA High Performance Coach Clinic.
“One of our main goals at the European Aquatics Academy (EAA) is to promote research, development and innovation in aquatic sports,” Silva said.
“That’s why we’re so excited to launch this 2025 Research, Development and Innovation Grant under our EA Strategic Plan & Action Plan 2024-2030 – Pillar 01: ‘Promoting All Aquatic Disciplines.’
“We want to support national federations in driving projects that truly make a difference in European Aquatics communities, whether it’s in coaching and competition practices, community-based interventions, innovation in aquatic sports, well-being, or organisational and policy development.
“This grant is another important step in helping our community grow and evolve.”
In order to qualify for a grant national federations will be expected to work in co-operation with a research centre or laboratory which will provide additional financial or in-kind support to the project.
The EA document adds: “Applicants should clearly outline their co-funding contributions in the proposal of at least the same amount as EA.”
Bidding consortiums must include at least one recognised research institution specialising in the scope of the project, and they should also engage additional partners such as government agencies, non-profits, private sector entities or community organisations.
Priority topics will include coaching and competition practices, community-based interventions, innovation in aquatic sports, wellbeing in aquatic sports and organisational and policy development.
The grant will be provided in two instalments: 50% upon approval and agreement; and the remaining 50% after delivery of the report and approval by European Aquatics.
Full details, including evaluation criteria, are available here and here.
For any questions or further information, contact education@europeanaquatics.org
European Aquatics Academy (EAA) has the mission of fostering the education and development of the European Aquatics community, offering state-of-the-art knowledge and skills as integral parts of both initial training and lifelong learning through sound and novel methodologies.
Under EA Strategic Plan and Action Plan 2024-2030 – Pilar 01 “Promoting all Aquatic Disciplines”, one of EAA´s main goals is to “promote research, development, and innovation within the field of aquatic sports.”
