Talent Promotion (Sports Foundation NRW)

The talent promotion of the Sports Foundation NRW is aimed at outstanding young elite athletes with a clear connection to North Rhine-Westphalia and offers a monthly recognition payment of €250 (from January 2026: €300) over a funding period of 24 months. Private individuals from Olympic, Paralympic, Deaflympic, and World Games sports with the right to compete for an NRW club, training or residence in NRW, as well as squad status NK 1, NK 2, State Squad Plus, or the corresponding World Games junior squad, can apply by June 30 and December 31 of each year. Selection is based on the elite sports perspective, formal NRW criteria, and an evaluation according to the 6-competencies model (intrinsic motivation, emotional competence, respect, teamwork and ability to accept criticism, authenticity, commitment). Submission includes a motivation letter, an application video, and a personality questionnaire, which together document the individual performance readiness and profile strength.

With around 600 funding places per year, the non-profit state foundation has consistently focused on the development of young top athletes in North Rhine-Westphalia since 2000. The financial support is intended to secure their sporting prospects while simultaneously strengthening a role model function in the sports region NRW. The evaluation process includes a professional assessment by the responsible specialist association as well as a final decision by the board. Successful applicants are informed immediately after the board meetings. The two-year funding is evaluated semi-annually to ensure that the funding criteria are continuously met.