The CSD calls for aid for the social protection of high-level athletes and support for international participation

Madrid, June 2, 2025.- The Higher Sports Council (CSD) has convened a package of grants, worth 11 million euros, with the aim of promoting the social protection of high-level athletes (DAN) and supporting the international participation of athletes and coaches representing Spain.

The CSD will allocate 3 million euros to cover the cost of the contributions paid to Social Security by DAN athletes during the year 2024.

Of these grants, which will be channelled through the Spanish sports federations, those who are listed as employed workers as professional athletes or as self-employed in the Special Scheme of Self-Employed Workers, as well as those who are subscribed to the Special Agreement for High-Level Athletes, may benefit.

In this way, the CSD contributes to the social and professional recognition of high-level athletes and strengthens their safety during the development of their sports careers.

In addition, the CSD has made available to the Spanish sports federations a minimum of 8 million euros to grant financial aid to athletes and coaches with outstanding results in World and European Championships, finance the integration of people with disabilities in sports federations and support special plans that complement the preparation for international competition.

Eligible expenses include assistance to sportspeople and trainers, travel, accommodation, maintenance and registration arising from concentrations or competitions, the rental of equipment and facilities, medical, physiotherapeutic, psychological and performance assessment services, the remuneration of technical and support staff, the purchase of consumables or sports equipment and costs directly related to international competition preparation and performance.

The call for aid consolidates the government’s commitment to sport

For the president of the CSD, José Manuel Rodríguez Uribes, this call for grants “consolidates the Government’s commitment to Spanish sport, by facilitating that high-level athletes can contribute to Social Security and support them in their participation in international competitions”.

The deadline for applying for these grants is 20 June. Applications must be submitted electronically through the CSD Electronic Headquarters.

The EUR 11 million allocated to these two aid lines comes from 1% of the revenue generated by the marketing of the rights to exploit audiovisual content of professional football competitions.

According to the provisions of Article 6 of Royal Decree-Law 5/2015, professional football clubs are obliged to allocate 1% of these revenues to the Higher Sports Council, which in this way reinvests them in the financing of the costs of public social protection systems for high-level athletes and in aid to athletes participating in international competitions.