Important Dates
Nominations open: February 23, 2026
Nominations close: March 23, 2026
Finalists notified: April 20-24, 2026
Career in Sports Forum: TBA, Indianapolis, IN
AASP Annual Summit: TBA
The NCAA’s Accelerating Academic Success Program strengthens academic achievement and supports graduation at historically under-funded Division I institutions. The AASP Student-Athlete Career Development Award recognizes student-athletes at AASP-eligible schools who are committed to careers in intercollegiate athletics and invests in their professional growth through immersive NCAA programming and industry networking.
Student-athletes enrolled at AASP-eligible Division I institutions who have completed at least their sophomore year, hold a cumulative GPA of 2.80 or higher and are interested in pursuing a career in intercollegiate athletics.
Nominations submitted by the institution’s Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) or designated athletics administrator. Each institution may nominate up to two student-athletes; if nominating two, at least one must be male.
Recipients must be available to attend two NCAA professional development events: the Career in Sports Forum and the AASP Annual Summit.
Four recipients selected annually. Recipients receive recognition on NCAA.org plus travel and registration support to attend both NCAA professional development events.
Why Apply?
Develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to pursue a career in intercollegiate athletics through immersive NCAA programming.
Connect with industry leaders, NCAA staff and peers from across the country at two professional development events.
Recognize your achievements with national visibility on NCAA.org as one of four student-athletes selected each year.
Launch your career in college sports with access to the Career in Sports Forum and the AASP Annual Summit, fully supported by the NCAA.
Through a competitive nomination and review process, AASP Career Development Award recipients are selected as student-athletes who demonstrate a clear commitment to careers in intercollegiate athletics and the potential to lead the next generation of college sports professionals.
Eligibility
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- Must be enrolled at an AASP-eligible Division I institution.
- Must have completed at least sophomore year.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.80 on a 4.00 scale.
- Must be eligible for athletics competition.
- Must be interested in pursuing a career in intercollegiate athletics.
- Must be available to attend two NCAA professional development events.