Olympian for Life Simidele Adeagbo OLY opens latest grants for female athletes after reaching $100,000 milestone

23 | 9 | 2026

WOA Olympians for Life awardee Simidele Adeagbo OLY is continuing to turn her own Olympic journey into opportunities for the next generation, as the SimiSleighs Foundation opens applications for its 2027 Athlete Grant Program.

The new application cycle comes as the Foundation celebrates an important milestone, having now awarded $100,000 USD in direct grant funding to elite female athletes pursuing their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.

Founded by Adeagbo, the SimiSleighs Foundation is a powerful example of the impact Olympians can continue to make after their own Olympic journeys. Through the Foundation, she is using her experience, platform and network as an Olympian to help other women overcome barriers, develop as leaders and fulfil their potential both on and off the field of play.

It is this commitment to creating positive change through sport that saw Adeagbo recognised by WOA as an Olympians for Life awardee.

The Foundation's Athlete Grant Program, launched in 2023, combines direct financial assistance with a six-month virtual development programme. Selected athletes can receive grants of up to $5,000 USD towards their training and competition expenses, while also benefiting from leadership and professional development, mentoring and connections with a global network of athletes and experts.

Having already reached $100,000 in direct athlete funding, SimiSleighs has set its sights even higher. The Foundation aims to award $1 million USD in grants to elite female athletes over the next decade, further extending the impact of Adeagbo's commitment to giving back through sport.

Applications are now open for the 2027 programme to female athletes training towards the Los Angeles 2028 or Alpes 2030 Olympic or Paralympic Games. The programme will run from January to June 2027. Full eligibility requirements and programme criteria are available on the SimiSleighs Foundation website.

The deadline to apply is Friday, 16 October 2026 at 11:59pm EST.

Find out more about the programme, eligibility criteria and how to apply:
https://www.simisleighsfoundation.org/athlete-grant-program