The AISTS Future Female Leader in Sport Scholarship — Master's Scholarship

AISTS runs a 15-month Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Management & Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland, and this scholarship pays half of its tuition. AISTS is a not-for-profit academy founded in 2000 by the International Olympic Committee with EPFL, the University of Lausanne, the University of Geneva, IMD, EHL, the City of Lausanne and the Canton of Vaud.

The award goes to one person per intake who already works to bring women into sport and into its leadership. AISTS states the purpose as assisting an inspiring woman in reaching her goals in the industry. The recipient acts as an AISTS ambassador for the 15 months of the programme.

Candidates apply to the master’s first, then send the scholarship file separately by email. The most recent round closed on 30 November 2025 for the intake starting at the end of September 2026.

Benefits & funding

CHF 15,950, equal to 50% of the tuition fee for the 2026 intake, which is listed at CHF 31,900.
The value tracks half the tuition of the year in question; it stood at CHF 14,950 when an earlier round was announced.
One scholarship is awarded per intake.
It funds a place on the full-time, in-person, 15-month Master of Advanced Studies in Lausanne, taught in English.
The remaining half of the fee, living costs and travel stay with the recipient. AISTS estimates living costs in Lausanne at CHF 2,400 per month including accommodation.
The recipient represents AISTS as an ambassador during the 15 months, at events, in videos and in social media activity.

Eligibility

Admission to the Master of Advanced Studies comes first; the scholarship documents are sent after the programme application has been submitted.
Academic route one: a Master degree recognised by EPFL.
Academic route two: a Bachelor degree recognised by EPFL plus at least five years of work experience in any industry.
Academic route three: a Bachelor degree recognised by EPFL plus at least five years of combined relevant experience in sport, including national or international athlete experience.
English test result from the past 12 months: TOEFL 550 paper, 213 computer or 85 internet with at least 20 per section; IELTS 6.0 with no section below 5.5; or Duolingo English Test 110.
The award is for women. AISTS describes it as helping an inspiring woman achieve her goals in the industry, invites women who show they are ambassadors and role models to apply, and asks candidates to accept the role of female scholarship recipient. The stated criterion is an individual actively promoting women’s participation and leadership in sport.
Open to applicants globally. No nationality or residency requirement is published.
No age limit is set. Participants average about 29 years old with about seven years of work experience.
Applicants must document how they will fund the other 50% of the fee, living costs in Lausanne and travel. AISTS lists own earnings or savings, own assets, family income or assets, next of kin and friends, a government, agencies and foundations, and a bank loan as acceptable sources.

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Education required
Bachelor · Master
Gender requirement
Female

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Application process

1
Complete the “Am I eligible?” form on the AISTS site and wait for the emailed link to the application form.
2
Submit the master’s application with a passport photograph, a passport copy, a 2-3 page motivation letter, a CV, two recommendation letters (one academic and one professional, in English), certified copies of degrees and transcripts, and the English test result.
3
Expect a decision within about three weeks. Admissions are rolling and first come, first served, with roughly 20 to 35 places per intake.
4
Write a separate scholarship motivation letter of 1-2 pages covering short and long term goals, how you have been and will be a role model in sport, how you plan to encourage other women to work in sport, whether you accept the AISTS ambassador role, and how else you would raise awareness of AISTS and promote ‘sport for all’ during the 15 months.
5
Attach evidence of the capacity to fund the remaining 50% of the fee, the Lausanne living costs and the travel to Switzerland and back.
6
Send the scholarship documents to admissions@aists.org after the programme application has been submitted, before the deadline at 23.59 Swiss time.

Program timeline

30 November 2025, 23.59 Swiss time
scholarship deadline for the 2026-2027 intake, the most recent round.
Within about three weeks of a complete programme application
admission decision.
15 May 2026
tuition invoice issued for the 2026 intake, payable within 30 days.
End of September 2026
the 2026-2027 edition starts in Lausanne.
the academic phase ends and the applied projects and professional experience phase begins.
Early May 2027
December 2027
the 2026-2027 edition ends.
Next round
AISTS has not yet published scholarship dates for the following intake.