The National Officials Committee (NOC) recognizes the financial commitment necessary for travel to officiate at USATF national championship meets. The Committee has created grants to encourage the development and advancement and to thereby expand the pool of experienced officials for national level meets.
Targeted group is younger and new officials. The recipients will be selected by the officers of the National Officials Committee. The NOC grants of $500.00 are for up to 6 younger selected officials to officiate at one of the following national championships:
USATF Masters Indoor or Outdoor Championships
USATF National Youth Indoor or Outdoor Championships
USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
USATF Youth Championship U20
Applicants must:
Be a USATF certified official
Be 50 years of age or under as of December 31, 2026
Have never officiated one of the following meets:
USATF Indoor Senior Championships
USATF Outdoor U20 or Senior Championships
Olympic Trials
Any World Championships
Any of the meets listed above, in the Overview
Commit to officiating each day of the meet for which selected.
Completion of the application form and submission of the form by the deadline date of December 21, 2026.
Selected recipients must utilize the grant monies in 2027. If not used in 2027, applicant must reapply.
Direct questions to the grant program coordinator, Donald Berry.
Targeted group is throws officials. The one recipient will be selected by the officers of the National Officials Committee. The NOC grants of $500.00 for up to two selected officials to officiate at one of the following national championships:
USATF Masters Indoor or Outdoor Championships.
Be a USATF Certified Official
Have never officiated as an Implement Inspector at the:
USATF Indoor Senior championship
USATF Outdoor U20 or Senior championship
Commit to officiating each day of the meet selected
Resume reflecting prior throwing event experience
*Note: A grant may be used for any meet listed above, in the Overview, if selected after the application is submitted.
Direct questions to the grant program director, Robert Kern
Targeted group is officials with Referee experience. The one recipient will be selected by the officers of the National Officials Committee. Selected officials will be assigned to work with an experienced Technical Manager. The NOC grants of $500.00 for up to two selected officials to officiate at one of the following national championships:
According to USATF Rule 123, the Technical Manager shall be responsible for:
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.
Ensuring that the placement and removal of equipment according to the technical organizational plan for the competition as approved by the Games Committee.
Ensuring the technical presentation of the competition areas is in accordance with such plan.
Ensuring that the necessary certification under Rule 148.1 exists or has been received before the competition.
Be a USATF Certified Official
Never served as a Technical Manager at the:
Resume reflecting prior technical meet experience
Targeted group is any member of USATF with the relevant experience as an official. The recipients will be selected by the Diversity & Leadership Development Committee. Selected officials will be assigned to work with an experienced Referee(s). The $500.00 grants are for up to three selected officials to officiate at the following national championships:
Certified to officiate at the National or Master’s Level
Have officiated at one of the following meets:
USATF Senior Indoor or Outdoor Championships
USATF U20 Outdoor Championships
U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Any World Athletics Championships
Commit to officiating each day of the meet selected
Resume reflecting Referee meet experience
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 Apprentice Referee Program goal of diversifying the pool of qualified officials, women and underrepresented minority officials are strongly encouraged to apply.
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, in Phase II, 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.
Direct questions to the grant program director, Delores G. Murray.