Grant Programs

GRANTS NARRATIVE — The National Officials Committee (NOC) recognizes the financial commitment necessary for travel to officiate at USATF national championship meets. The (NOC) has initiated and implemented various grant programs, to assist, encourage and train the development and advancement of officials. The intent of these grants is to provide mentorship, hands on training, and to expand the pool of national level officials for national championship meets and an effort to develop a greater pool of experienced, trained and prepared officials. Grant recipients are assigned to a meet and crew, and and will officiate at the competition venue. These grants are designed to assist in off setting the expenses incurred in officiating at these national championship meets.

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GRANT #1 - Officials Grants

OVERVIEW

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:

1. USATF Masters Indoor or Outdoor Championships
2. USATF National Youth Indoor or Outdoor Championships
3. USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships
4. USATF Youth Championship U20

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Applicants must:

1. Be a USATF certified official
2. Be under 50 years of age or under as of December 31, 2025
3. Have never officiated one of the following meets:
   1. USATF Indoor Senior Championships
   2. USATF Outdoor U20 or Senior Championships
   3. Olympic Trials
   4. Any World Championships
   5. Any of the meets listed above, in the Overview
4. Commit to officiating each day of the meet for which selected.
5. Completion of the application form and submission of the form by the deadline date of December 21, 2025.

Selected recipients must utilize the grant monies in 2026. If not used in 2026, applicant must reapply.
 
*Note: A grant may be used for any meet listed above, in the overview, if selected after the application is submitted.

PROCESS

Applicants must complete and submit the application form no later than December 21, 2025. The NOC Executive Committee makes selections from among qualified applicants and notifies officials in mid-January. Grant recipients are required to write a report of their experience and submit it to the NOC after the competition.

QUESTIONS

Direct questions to the grant program coordinator, Don Berry.
   
Grant #2 -  Implement Inspectors Grants

OVERVIEW

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:

10. USATF Masters Indoor or Outdoor Championships.
11. USATF National Youth Indoor or Outdoor Championships
12. USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

13. Be a USATF Certified Official
14. Have never officiated as an Implement Inspector at the:
    1. USATF Indoor Senior championship
    2. USATF Outdoor U20 or Senior championship
    3. Olympic Trials
    4. Any World Championships
    5. Any of the meets listed above, in the Overview
15. Commit to officiating each day of the meet selected
16. Resume reflecting prior throwing event experience
17. Completion of the application form and submission of the form by the deadline date of December 21, 2025.

Selected recipients must utilize the grant monies in 2026. If not used in 2026, applicant must reapply.

*Note: A grant may be used for any meet listed above, in the Overview, if selected after the application is submitted.

PROCESS

Applicants must complete and submit the application form no later than December 21th, 2025. The NOC Executive Committee makes selections from among qualified applicants and notifies officials in mid-January. Grant recipients are required to write a report of their experience and submit it to the NOC after the competition.

QUESTIONS

Direct questions to the grant program director, Robert O. Kern.
 
Grant #3 - Technical Managers Grants

OVERVIEW

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:

18. USATF Masters Indoor or Outdoor Championships.
19. USATF National Youth Indoor or Outdoor Championships
20. USATF National Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships

According to USATF Rule 123, the Technical Manager shall be responsible for:

21. 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.
22. Ensuring that the placement and removal of equipment according to the technical organizational plan for the competition as approved by the Games Committee.
23. Ensuring the technical presentation of the competition areas is in accordance with such plan.
24. Ensuring that the necessary certification under Rule 148.1 exists or has been received before the competition.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

25. Be a USATF Certified Official
26. Never served as a Technical Manager at the:
    1. USATF Indoor Senior Championships
    2. USATF Outdoor U20 or Senior Championships
    3. Olympic Trials
    4. Any World Championships
    5. Any of the meets listed above, in the Overview
27. Commit to officiating each day of the meet selected
28. Resume reflecting prior technical meet experience
29. Completion of the application form and submission of the form by the deadline date of December 21, 2025.

Selected recipients must utilize the grant monies in 2026. If not used in 2026, applicant must reapply.

*Note: A grant may be used for any meet listed above, in the Overview, if selected after the application is submitted.

PROCESS

Applicants must complete and submit the application form no later than December 21th, 2025. The NOC Executive Committee makes selections from among qualified applicants and notifies officials in mid-January. Grant recipients are required to write a report of their experience and submit it to the NOC after the competition.

QUESTIONS

Direct questions to the grant program director, Robert O. Kern.
 
Grant #4 - Referee Grants

OVERVIEW

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:

30. USATF Masters Indoor or Outdoor Championships.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

31. Be a USATF Certified Official
32. Certified to officiate at the National or Masters Level
33. Have officiated at one of the following meets:
    1. USATF Masters Indoor or Outdoor Championships
    2. USATF Senior Indoor or Outdoor Championships
    3. USATF U20 Outdoor Championships
    4. U.S. Olympic Team Trials
    5. Any World Athletics Championships
34. Commit to officiating each day of the meet selected
35. Resume reflecting Referee meet experience
36. Completion of the application form and submission of the form by the deadline date of December 21, 2025.

Selected recipients must utilize the grant monies in 2026. If not used in 2026, applicant must reapply.

*Note: A grant may be used for any meet listed above, in the Overview, if selected after the application is submitted.
 
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.

PROCESS

Applicants must complete and submit the application form no later than December 21th, 2025. The Diversity & Leadership Development (D&L) Committee makes selections from among qualified applicants and notifies officials in mid-January.
 
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.

QUESTIONS

Direct questions to the grant program director, Delores G. Murray.