Ten years after making history as Singapore’s first Olympic gold medallist, Joseph Schooling is turning his attention to the next generation. Schooling and Singapore Aquatics have launched the Joseph Schooling Award, a new initiative designed to support and inspire young athletes across Singapore’s aquatics community.

The programme will begin with two swimmers receiving S$10,000 scholarships over two years, supported by an initial S$200,000 fund. The fund reflects the 20 per cent contribution Schooling made to Singapore Aquatics from the monetary reward he received after winning Olympic gold in Rio in 2016. Through continued fundraising, the programme aims to extend its reach and empower even more aquatics athletes to pursue their ambitions.

More than financial support, however, the award is intended to recognise the qualities that shaped Schooling’s own journey: resilience, purpose and bravery. Applicants will be assessed on these qualities, with shortlisted athletes given the opportunity to meet Schooling personally as part of the selection process. The conversations are intended to go beyond a traditional interview, giving young swimmers a chance to share their ambitions, hear about Schooling’s experiences and consider how discipline, resilience and excellence might shape their own sporting journeys. The committee comprising two SAQ Executive Committee representatives, Schooling and Teo Zhen Ren – former national swimmer and CEO of the World Fencing League – will make the final decision.

The award will also provide recipients with continued support over two years, with progress reviewed after the first year. For Schooling, the initiative is a way of giving back to the community that helped him pursue his own Olympic dream. “My journey began as a dream and became reality through countless untold stories and moments of joy and heartache, shared not only by me but also by those closest to me. My gold medal was possible because of the unwavering support from my Mum and Dad,” he said. “Now, I want to do my part, to recognise and reward those who share that same dream and dare to pursue it beyond imagination. Thank you to SAQ for supporting this initiative. I hope the Joseph Schooling Award will serve as a pillar of support for recipients and strengthen their belief in themselves.”

Associate Professor Kenneth Goh, President of Singapore Aquatics, added: “What makes the Joseph Schooling Award distinctive is its combination of meaningful personal engagement and a two-year commitment to supporting athletes’ development. Shortlisted athletes will have the opportunity to meet and engage personally with Joseph, gaining insights from Singapore’s first Olympic gold medallist. For recipients, the award provides sustained support over two years as they strive for sporting and personal excellence. We hope this unique blend of personal interaction and continued support will help inspire the next generation of Singapore aquatic athletes.”

The first recipients are expected to be selected by the end of 2026. . Coaches will submit a progress report after the first year to confirm each recipient remains eligible for second-year funding. Athletes may apply for the award, after which SAQ’s High Performance Team will prepare an initial shortlist for applicants for interviews with the Selection Committee. Applications open on 1 September through the Singapore Aquatics website.

As Schooling marks a decade since his historic Olympic victory, the new award offers a fitting way to celebrate that milestone, and spreading his impact by helping another generation of Singaporean athletes dream a little bigger.

The nomination process begins 1 September and athletes can submit their applications via SAQ’s website.. More information available here