Newcomer Grant The Swim Alberta Newcomer Grant supports age-group swimmers who have recently immigrated to Canada by helping remove financial barriers to participating in competitive swimming. Each year, Swim Alberta provides four $1,000 grants to eligible swimmers registered with a Swim Alberta-affiliated club. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering inclusion, access, and opportunity for all swimmers in Alberta’s community. Application Period For the 2026 cycle, the application period will be from February 7, 2026, to February 16, 2026. Eligibility Criteria To qualify for the Newcomer Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria: Age: 8 – 17 years old Residency Status Born outside of Canada Permanent resident, refugee, or Canadian citizen* Arrived in Canada on or after January 1, 2021 Reside in Alberta *Proof of residency status will be required as part of the application process. Club Membership Registered as a competitive swimmer of a Swim Alberta-affiliated club Grant applications will be reviewed in the order they are received and based on the following priorities: Priority 1: Recent newcomers who arrived in Canada between January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2026: One (1) grant will be awarded to the 8-10 age category. One (1) grant will be awarded to the 11-17 age category. Should a grant not be awarded under Priority 1, it will roll over into Priority 2. Priority 2: Newcomers who arrived in Canada between January 2021 and January 2026: The remaining grants will be awarded to applicants within this arrival period, prioritizing those who arrived most recently (January 1, 2025, to January 1, 2026). How to Apply Applicants must complete Swim Alberta’s Newcomer Grant application form. Applications can be submitted either by the swimmer or a club representative. Apply Here Please Note: Only complete applications will be considered. Applications submitted outside of the application period will not be considered. Previous recipients of the Newcomer Grant will be exempt from selection. Application Questions & Requirements Application Questions What challenges have you faced as a newcomer to Canada? How has competitive swimming played a role in your journey as you adapted to your new environment in Canada? Are there any achievents or milestones in competitive swimming that you are particularly proud of? What financial barriers have you experienced in pursuing competitive swimming? How would receiving this grant help you overcome these challenges? How will the grant support your growth as a swimmer and your contribution to the community? Requirements The application will require the applicant to upload the following documents: A letter from the club confirming that at the time of application they are an active registered member in good standing. Documentation confirming legal status in Canada. Allowable Grant Expenses & Payment Swim Alberta’s Newcomer Grants aim to remove financial barriers to training and competition while offering flexibility in support of athletes. Eligible expenses include: Equipment Translator support Club fees Competition fees Travel costs associated with competitions Grant payments will be made directly to the swimmer’s club to support the athlete with the outlined expenses. INDIGENOUS Grant The Swim Alberta Indigenous Grant supports First Nations, Métis, and Inuit age-group swimmers by helping remove financial barriers to participation in competitive swimming. Each year, Swim Alberta provides three $1,000 and two $500 grants to eligible Indigenous swimmers who are registered with a Swim Alberta-affiliated club. This initiative reflects our commitment to reconciliation, inclusion, and creating equitable access to opportunities for Indigenous athletes within Alberta’s swimming community. Application Period For the 2026 cycle, the application period will be from February 7, 2026, to February 16, 2026. Eligibility Criteria To qualify for the Indigenous Grant, applicants must meet the following criteria: Age: 8 – 15 years old Indigenous Identity Identify as First Nation, Métis or Inuit* Reside in Alberta *Proof of identity status will be required as part of the application process. Club Membership Registered and active as a competitive swimmer of a Swim Alberta-affiliated club during the application window Grant applications will be reviewed in the order they are received: Two (2) $500 grants will be awarded to the 8-9 age category. One (1) $1,000 grant will be awarded to the 10-11 age category. One (1) $1,000 grant will be awarded to the 12-13 age category. One (1) $1,000 grant will be awarded to the 14-15 age category. If a category has no qualifying applicants, the grant will be offered to the next eligible applicant in the order applications were received, regardless of age. How to Apply Applicants must complete Swim Alberta’s Indigenous Grant application form. Applications can be submitted either by the swimmer or a club representative. Apply Here Please Note: Only complete applications will be considered. Applications submitted outside of the application period will not be considered. Previous recipients of the Indigenous Grant will be exempt from selection. Application Questions & Requirements Application Questions How do you identify as Indigenous, and what Nation or community do you belong to? Please describe your connection to your community and how it influences your participation in competitive swimming. What first got you involved in competitive swimming, and what keeps you coming back? Are there any achievements or milestones in competitive swimming that you are particularly proud of? What barriers have you faced in accessing or continuing competitive swimming (e.g., financial, geographic, transportation, equipment)? How will this funding help remove or reduce the barriers you are currently experiencing? How will the grant support your growth as a swimmer and your contribution to the community? How could your involvement in competitive swimming inspire or support other Indigenous Youth? Requirements The application will require the applicant to upload the following documents: A letter from the club confirming that at the time of application they are an active registered member in good standing. Documentation confirming Indigenous identity from a recognised governing body. Allowable Grant Expenses & Payment Swim Alberta’s Indigenous Grants aim to remove financial barriers to training and competition while offering flexibility in support of athletes. Eligible expenses include: Equipment Translator support Club fees Competition fees Travel costs associated with competitions Grant payments will be made directly to the swimmer’s club to support the athlete with the outlined expenses.