Support the Growth of Under-Represented Organizations

Running USA’s Emerging Leaders Program offers support to minority and/or women-owned businesses in the running industry.

2025 Program Application Available Soon

The Emerging Leaders Program provides rising change-makers with an unparalleled opportunity to accelerate the growth of their organization and engage with the industry’s most influential leaders.

Grant funds provide the recipients with travel and accommodations to the annual Running USA Industry Conference – the world’s largest and most prestigious running industry gathering. Recipients are also provided with opportunities to promote their businesses and network with industry leaders.

Donate in Support of the Program

Criteria and Guidelines

Before you apply, please review the criteria and guidelines:

  • Grant recipients must be first-time attendees of the Running USA Industry Conference.
  • Company must be a minority-owned or woman-led business in the sport of running. Individuals must be looking to the running industry as a career focus.
  • Applicants may be self-nominated or nominated by a Running USA member.
  • The grant includes a $500 allowance towards a plane ticket to the conference, two nights at the host hotel, and one conference registration. Ground transportation is not included.
  • Recipients may not transfer any portion of their attendance to another person.
  • Recipients will be offered a discounted Running USA membership for $199. This offer will be valid for 90 days from the conference’s conclusion.

If selected, the scholarship recipient agrees to the following:

  • Respond to all communications requests by the Running USA team in a reasonable timeframe.
  • Attend and participate in a scholarship meet and greet at the conference
  • Attend the entire duration of the conference, February 2-4, 2025.
  • Provide Running USA with a summary of lessons learned and takeaways from the event within two weeks of the conference.
  • Agree to be interviewed by Running USA about the experience for at least six months post-conference
  • Post about attendance on social media and work with Running USA’s marketing team to develop content around the experience.

 

Deadline: 2025 program deadlines will be available soon.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations are allowed without penalty until the point at which the travel stipend is paid. At this point, the recipient must reimburse Running USA for any cash expenses incurred.

Applications available soon

Apply Now

Donate in support of the program

Donate Now