International Competitions Bursary

Since 2020, the IHPA has been managing a bursary scheme for members who are seeking to participate in international competitions. The bursary scheme is intended to provide partial financial aid to pilots participating in recognised FAI Category 2, Category 1 or recognised National competitions.

Given our experiences since establishing the bursary as well as the obvious impact that COVID has had on certainty of competitions taking place, the IHPA committee has revised the rules to ensure a fair and transparent allocation of the annual bursary fund in the most appropriate fashion.

IHPA Competitions Bursary Rules (Revised November 2021):

- Pilots must be fully paid-up member of the IHPA.
- The bursary is open to Hang Glider and Paraglider pilots in all classes.
- Pilots can submit an application for the bursary to the IHPA Competitions Officer for their discipline (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) at the end of each season, with the annual deadline being December 31st of each calendar year.
- Pilots must submit proof of payment of the competition entry fee (e.g. receipt from competition organisers) and evidence of participation in the competition (e.g. a link to the competition results webpage).
- All applications will be reviewed by the IHPA committee in January of each calendar year for the previous calendar year and successful applications will be announced by the following 1st of February each calendar year.
- The bursary fund in any given year will be made up of a percentage of the IHPA’s surplus account balance from the previous year, defined by the IHPA on an annual basis.
- Pilots can apply for bursary support for multiple competitions in an application year, but will only receive bursary support for one competition per application year.
- The bursary fund will be divided equally between all successful applicants, but will not exceed a limit of €200 per applicant per application year.
- There is no limit on the number of pilots that may apply and be approved to receive bursary funding.
- There is no guaranteed entitlement for the bursary fund and it will be granted at the ultimate discretion of the IHPA committee.
- Pilots receiving sponsorship under the IHPA Competitions Bursary Scheme are required to represent Ireland at the competition(s) for which they are receiving support.
- Pilots are required to make it clear that they are "Sponsored by the Irish Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association" on their competition registration form.
- Pilots are required to adhere to Section 7 of the FAI's Sporting Code and, above all else, shall represent the IHPA's spirit of sportsmanship at all times while preparing for and participating in competitions for which they have received sponsorship.

IHPA International Competitions Bursary Application

Dear IHPA Competitions Officers,

I wish to apply for IHPA International Competitions Bursary funding support for the past flying season.

First Name:
Last Name:
IHPA Membership Number:
FAI Sporting License Number:
Discipline (HG / PG):
Competition Name and Location:
Date of Competition:
Evidence of Payment of Competition Entry Fee:
Evidence of Competition Participation: