Program Overview

The USA Cycling Centers of Excellence (COE) designation is awarded to select Junior and Under-23 development teams which excel in the development of young cycling athletes. Centers of Excellence must meet strict requirements and may qualify for grants from the USA Cycling Foundation based upon quantified results. The current COE designated programs have consistently demonstrated the ability to develop young riders into nationally competitive athletes and annually place riders in USA Cycling Regional and National development camps and the USA Cycling National Development Program.

Since the program’s inception in 2002, the USA Cycling Foundation has distributed over $555,000 in support of these grass-roots development efforts. Grants are made possible by the generous donations to the USA Cycling Development Foundation.

Program Qualifications

Any prospective, current USA Cycling Club/Team may apply for the Centers of Excellence grant provided they meet all the criteria outlined below.

• Operate a USA Cycling club, team, or program with the specific purpose of developing athletes at the Junior or U23 level and have a successful operational history of at least two years
• Support the complete athlete pathway with junior and development-level programs that progress toward elite-level programs
• Serve licensed Junior and/or U23 athletes with a racing age of 11-22
• Have plans to send Junior or U23 athletes to National Championship events or USA Cycling Athlete Development Pathway Regional Camps
• Have a current USA Cycling registered coach on the membership and/or staff roster
• Adhere to USA Cycling’s Safe Sport program
• Be a licensed club or team in good standing with USA Cycling
• Be a tax-exempt, registered non-profit organization

Important Dates

Application Process Opens: April 3, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. MDT

Application Process Closes: May 7, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. MDT

Recipient Notifications: May 22, 2023

Review Process and Grant Awards

Each panel member will review and grade applications independently. The median score (from all panel members) will serve as the final score and Tier rank. *Tie breakers will be determined by the score of select questions.

• Tier 1: Points 40-45 | $5,000 (4 winners)
• Tier 2: Points 34-39 | $2,500 (10 winners)

Centers of Excellence Designation

USA Cycling Clubs/Teams that have met the program qualifications will be designated as a “Center of Excellence.” Clubs/Teams that achieve enough points to rank in either Tier 1 or Tier 2 will be recognized as a “Tier 1 or Tier 2 Center of Excellence.” If you have questions please submit a request with “Center of Excellence” in the subject line.

Previous Grant Recipients