Are you an athlete or do you want to be? Find out how athletes from different disciplines can count on the financial support of Bolsa Atleta to boost their careers.
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Brazil is known for its sporting talent and the passion that drives athletes in various disciplines. However, many of these talents face financial challenges that make it difficult for them to develop their careers.
It was with this in mind that the Brazilian government created the Bolsa Atleta programme, which aims to provide financial support for high-performance athletes with future potential in national and international competitions.
Created in 2005 by the Ministry of Sport, Bolsa Atleta is the largest individual sponsorship programme for athletes in the country.
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The initiative aims to ensure that sportspeople can dedicate themselves to training and taking part in competitions without financial worries, thus promoting the development of sport in Brazil.
If you're an athlete or know someone who could benefit from this programme, read on. In this article, we'll go into detail about how Bolsa Atleta works, who can take part, the amounts awarded and the steps to apply.
Quick Index:
What is the Bolsa Atleta Programme?
Bolsa Atleta is a Brazilian federal government programme that offers direct financial support to athletes so that they can invest in training, equipment and other preparation needs for competitions.
It is aimed at sportspeople who represent Brazil in competitions at national and international level, from grassroots to high performance, including Olympic and Paralympic athletes.
The benefit is granted for a period of one year, with the possibility of renewal, depending on the athlete's performance and regularity in competitions.
The programme does not require exclusivity and allows the benefiting athletes to seek other sponsorships to supplement their income.
Bolsa Atleta Support Categories
Bolsa Atleta offers different categories of aid, which vary according to the athlete's level of performance and category. See the main categories below:
- Grassroots Athlete Scholarship: For young talents who are starting out in sport and taking part in national grassroots competitions.
- Student Athlete Scholarship: Aimed at students who excel in school and university competitions.
- National Scholarship: For athletes who compete in national championships and achieve good results.
- International Scholarship: Aimed at athletes representing Brazil in international competitions.
- Olympic and Paralympic Scholarships: For high-performance athletes taking part in Olympic or Paralympic competitions.
- Podium Scholarship: Awarded to world-class athletes who have a real chance of Olympic and Paralympic medals.
Each of these categories has specific eligibility criteria, and the amounts vary depending on the category.
Bolsa Atleta values
The amounts offered by Bolsa Atleta vary according to the category of benefit, meeting the different needs of athletes at each level of competition. Below is a table with the monthly amounts for each category, updated with the average IPCA adjustment:
| Category | Value with Average IPCA Adjustment (10.86%) |
|---|---|
| Base Athlete | R$ 410,00 |
| Student Athlete | R$ 410,00 |
| National Athlete | R$ 1,025.00 |
| International Athlete | R$ 2,051.00 |
| Olympic/Paralympic/Surdolympic athlete | R$ 3,437.00 |
Podium Grant: support for Elite Athletes
A Podium Scholarship is the highest category of the Bolsa Atleta programme, aimed exclusively at elite athletes who have a real chance of winning medals in world-class competitions such as the Olympics and Paralympics.
This benefit aims to support athletes with medal potential, providing the necessary support so that they can dedicate themselves fully to training and competitions.
The value of the Podium Scholarship is the highest of all the categories, varying according to the athlete's position and performance in the world ranking. Check out the updated amounts in the table below:
| Placement in the Podium Category | Value with Average IPCA Adjustment (10.86%) |
|---|---|
| Podium Athlete (1st to 3rd place) | R$ 16,629.00 |
| Podium Athlete (4th to 8th place) | R$ 12,195.00 |
| Podium Athlete (9th to 16th place) | R$ 8,869.00 |
| Podium Athlete (17th to 20th place) | R$ 5,543.00 |
The Podium Grant is renewable, but its award depends on the athlete's continued performance and position in international rankings.
Athletes who benefit from this category receive not only financial support, but also specialised support, such as access to technical and scientific teams, who help with training planning, nutrition and physical health.
To qualify for the Podium Scholarship, the athlete must meet strict criteria and be assessed by the Ministry of Sport and the sports federations of each sport.
As well as encouraging high performance, the programme promotes preparation so that Brazil can achieve more significant results in international competitions.
Who can take part in the programme
The Bolsa Atleta programme is aimed at athletes of various disciplines and performance levels, but it is necessary for the athlete to fulfil certain requirements in order to take part. The basic criteria include:
- Participation in recognised competitions: The athlete must regularly take part in championships organised or recognised by national and international federations.
- Proven Performance: You need to have a good performance, such as victories or relevant rankings, depending on the category you want.
- Age and Sport Category: Some categories, such as the Grassroots Athlete Scholarship and the Student Scholarship, have age restrictions to benefit promising youngsters.
- Lack of Sufficient Income: The programme aims to give priority to athletes who do not have adequate financial support for their sporting development.
In addition to these criteria, it is essential that the athlete has their documentation up to date and presents proof of their achievements, as the Bolsa Atleta programme values regularity and the results obtained in competitions.
How to take part in the programme
To apply for the Bolsa Atleta benefit, the candidate must follow some important steps. See step-by-step below:
- Follow the Programme's Calls for Proposals: The Ministry of Sport periodically publishes public notices for the Bolsa Atleta programme. These notices specify the conditions, requirements and deadlines for applying for each cycle of the programme. Be aware of the deadlines and documentation required.
- Proof of Results in Competitions: To apply, the athlete must prove participation and good performance in competitions recognised by the Ministry of Sport, such as national or international championships, depending on the category of scholarship desired.
- Fill in the Registration Form: The application is made online via the Ministry of Sport's official website, where the candidate must fill in a form with personal information, details of their sporting career and the required documentation.
- Submission of complementary documents: In addition to the form, the candidate must send documents proving their performance and participation in competitions, such as certificates, minutes of results, or declarations issued by sports federations.
- Wait for the evaluation and results: Once the application has been submitted, the Ministry of Sport analyses the information and documents. Approval is based on the criteria of performance and regularity in competitions. If approved, the athlete begins to receive monthly aid.
Following these steps is essential for the athlete's registration to be valid and for them to be able to compete for the benefit. The award process is highly competitive, and the correct documentation is essential to guarantee participation.
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Final considerations
Bolsa Atleta is a crucial initiative for the development of sport in Brazil, allowing talented athletes the opportunity to develop and represent the country without facing financial barriers.
Through a detailed and rigorous application process, the programme selects those who stand out in competitions and are most in need of support, promoting the growth of national sport in various disciplines.
If you or an athlete you know is interested in applying for Bolsa Atleta, keep an eye on the programme's notices and prepare your documentation.
With the right support, talent and dedication can transform the sporting career of many Brazilians, enabling them to reach their full potential in national and international arenas.
Read also: How to receive occasional benefits
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bolsa Atleta?
Bolsa Atleta is a federal government programme that offers financial support to athletes in different categories, from grassroots athletes to Olympic and Paralympic athletes, allowing them to invest in their sporting development.
What are the Bolsa Atleta categories?
The main categories include Grassroots, Student, National, International, Olympic/Paralympic and Podium Scholarships, each with specific amounts and criteria.
How can I sign up for Bolsa Atleta?
Applications are made online, via the Ministry of Sport's official website, by filling in a form and sending documents proving the athlete's participation and performance in competitions.
What documents do I need to apply for the benefit?
The athlete must present personal documents, as well as proof of participation and results obtained in recognised national or international competitions.
How much aid does Bolsa Atleta offer?
The amounts vary according to the category, from R$ 410 (Basic and Student Scholarship) to R$ 16,629 (Podium Scholarship).
