Guidelines
 

• All award submissions are due by Monday, May 12 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
• All nominations should include metrics, including goals, measurements and impact. Keep in mind that the quantity of programs is less important than the quality of the program with a measured impact.
• In recognition of the honorees, ESPN will make grants on behalf of their award-winning efforts.

To see past honorees of the Sports Humanitarian Awards, visit the ESPN Corporate Citizenship site.

       If you have any questions, please email Caitlyn.M.Cohn@espn.com. If you have technical questions or need support on this site, contact organizationsupport@submittable.com or access the Help Center at https://submittable.help. For The Walt Disney Company’s Privacy Policy, click here.
       See FAQ for further details.
 

   Sport has the power to change the world and unite people like nothing else. This has never been more evident than in recent years with the rise of youth-led movements to tackle pressing issues and provide sustainable solutions — all through the power of sport.  

As part of the Sports Humanitarian Awards and the ESPYS, ESPN’s Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award celebrates the legendary sports icon's commitment to leadership and service by honoring youth leaders who, like Billie Jean King, use sport to drive positive change in their communities. Established in 2019, the Award will recognize three national honorees during the 2025 Sports Humanitarian Awards and ESPYS in Los Angeles, Calif., along with 20 regional honorees.  

Honoring Billie Jean King's legacy, this award acknowledges outstanding young people from the U.S. who are making an impact in their communities. This year, 23 honorees will be recognized. Three national honorees will receive either a $10,000 charitable grant to an eligible nonprofit aligned with their work or a one-time $10,000 college scholarship, while the 20 regional honorees will receive either a $2,500 charitable grant or a one-time $2,500 college scholarship.


Successful Applicants Will

• Demonstrate how they use sport as a catalyst for change within their local school or community. For additional information about the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, as well as a recap of last year's honorees, please click here.
• Highlight how they have identified and addressed an unmet need, using a unique approach that goes beyond simply participating in existing nonprofit / sports programs. Their contribution should involve original work and impactful initiatives.
• Exhibit passion and commitment to empowering their community.
• Embody confidence, enthusiasm and strong moral character as a leader.
• Exemplify leadership qualities in and outside of sports.
   

National Honorees Will

• Be honored at the Sports Humanitarian Awards and the ESPYS in Los Angeles, Calif., alongside other prestigious awards, including the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.
• Receive either a one-time $10,000 college academic scholarship or direct a $10,000 grant to an eligible organization nonprofit aligned with their work.
• Participate in a yearlong virtual experiential learning and development program, including mentorship,  leadership coaching and engagement with senior leaders in the sport industry.

Regional Honorees Will 

• Receive a one-time $2,500 college scholarship or direct a $2,500 grant to an eligible nonprofit organization aligned with their work.
• Participate in a yearlong virtual experiential learning and development program, including mentorship,  leadership coaching and engagement with senior leaders in the sport industry.

Eligibility Criteria
               In order to apply you MUST meet the following criteria:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National or Permanent Resident.
• Must be a high school, college or graduate student, no older than 25 years of age.
• Students completing a gap year must have graduated from high school and be enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university for the 2025-2026 academic year to be considered.
• Must have a registered and verifiable 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with their work.
• Only single nominations will be accepted. No group applications will be received.
• If applying for a nonprofit grant, applicants must meet the above eligibility criteria
• If applying for a scholarship, applicants must additionally:
• Demonstrate financial need, verified by their college or university.
• Have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale).
• Be enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Funding Guidelines 

• Scholarships are one-time, non-renewable awards paid directly to the recipient's accredited college or university. 
• Nonprofit grants are directed to a 501(c)(3) organization meeting The Walt Disney Company's charitable giving guidelines.
   

Application Guidelines

• Applications may be submitted by nonprofits on behalf of a nominee or by the nominee directly.
• The affiliated program and the nominee's impact work must be U.S.-based, and the nonprofit must be registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) organization.
• Submitted images must be high-resolution and include a headshot, a photo of the applicant in action (must be front-facing and cannot include other people) and a full-body image (no group photos).

Need Help?

Two webinars will be hosted during the application period to provide guidance: 

• Saturday, May 3: Register here
• Thursday, May 8: Register here

For questions about the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, please contact claudia.larrea@beyondsport.org or schedule a meeting here.

For technical support, email organizationsupport@submittable.com or access the Help Center at https://submittable.help. For The Walt Disney Company’s Privacy Policy, click here.

Applications are due by Monday, May 19 at 11:59 p.m. ET