Young female athletes across Scotland are being encouraged to seize a valuable opportunity as Eilish McColgan opens applications for the next round of her Giving Back to Track programme.
There is a dealdine to apply of Wednesday 1 April.
The initiative is specifically designed to support female athletes aged 16–22 offering a meaningful boost to those competing in the various disciplines across the sport. The one-year programme is open to young women of all abilities.
The ‘Giving Back to Track’ project, founded by Eilish and her partner, fellow Olympian Michael Rimmer, is a non-profit scheme aimed at inspiring kids from all backgrounds to enjoy athletics and lead a healthy lifestyle.
Established in early 2022, the fund has now delivered four years of support to young Scottish female athletes, reflecting a growing commitment to nurturing talent and widening access to the sport at a crucial stage of development.
Role model: Eilish helps young athletes in 2025
Building on the success of last year’s programme, which supported five recipients alongside an additional 20 athletes through smaller travel grants, the initiative once again looks set to make a positive impact on young female athletes in the sport.
The depth and quality of applications previously highlighted the strength of emerging female talent within Scotland, and there is a clear intent to provide a similar level of support in 2026 to ensure that more athletes can benefit from the support of the scheme.
Eilish, drawing on her own experiences in the sport, understands the challenges of balancing training with school exams, further education, or part-time work.
This scholarship fund has been created to support female athletes navigating those demands, offering not only practical help but also a valuable mental boost at a key point in their journey through the sport. Athletes who feel they fit the criteria are strongly encouraged to apply via the link below.
If you’re an aspiring young woman in the sport, this is your chance to take a positive step forward and gain support on your pathway in athletics.
Inspirational . . . Eilish celebrates that wonderful Commonwealth Games 10,000m gold medal in Birmingham (photo by Bobby Gavin)
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Eilish McColgan, Giving Back to Track