Education and technology
Gaming, esports, broadcasting, commentary, event-production, coding, technology, and digital-media conferences or workshops.
BOLT Gaming FoundationAccess • Learn • Represent
Travel Assistance
Need-informed support that helps eligible participants reach educational esports activities, technology and digital-media learning, leadership programs, community outreach, and amateur competitions.
Need-informed assistanceMission-aligned travelObjective reviewSubject to available funds
Program purpose
Opportunity should not depend on ZIP code or income.
The Travel Assistance Program (TAP) helps reduce barriers created by transportation, lodging, registration costs, accessibility needs, and limited local opportunities.
TAP is a charitable access program—not a sponsorship contract, professional-player subsidy, prize fund, or unrestricted cash award. Every approved trip must create a meaningful educational or charitable benefit.
Eligible opportunities
Travel with a clear learning or community purpose.
Leadership and outreach
Leadership development, teamwork, workforce readiness, community gaming outreach, and approved volunteer activities.
Amateur competition
Amateur esports events that include skill development, structured learning, sportsmanship, or meaningful community participation.
Entertainment value alone is not enough. The application must explain how the opportunity advances BOLT Gaming Foundation’s charitable and educational mission.
Covered costs
Reasonable and necessary travel expenses.
- Event, conference, workshop, or amateur tournament registration
- Economy airfare, rail, bus, mileage, rideshare, or public transit
- Reasonably priced lodging for approved travel dates
- Parking and reasonable baggage fees
- Approved accessibility transportation or participation support
- Authorized meals or incidentals within published limits
- Required credentials, instructional materials, or approved travel insurance
- Other direct costs approved in writing before purchase
Not covered: luxury travel, room upgrades, alcohol, gambling, personal shopping, prizes, lost wages, undocumented cash payments, unrelated electronics, or costs that primarily benefit a for-profit business.
How selection works
A fair, documented review.
Mission alignment
The opportunity advances education, technology learning, leadership, responsible competition, or community benefit.
Financial or access need
Assistance is necessary for meaningful participation and other resources are limited.
Expected benefit
The applicant identifies specific learning, skill, service, or community outcomes.
Readiness
The event, budget, travel plan, safety needs, and deadlines are realistic and documented.
Community contribution
The applicant may share learning, volunteer, mentor, or strengthen community participation.
Submitting an application does not guarantee funding. Awards may be approved in full, partially approved, waitlisted, or denied based on eligibility, scores, documented need, reasonableness, and available funds.
Payment and accountability
Support tied to approved costs.
Direct payment
When practical, the Foundation may pay an airline, hotel, event organizer, or other approved vendor directly.
Reimbursement
Approved expenses may be reimbursed after the participant submits an itemized receipt and proof of payment.
Accountable advance
When necessary and approved in writing, an advance must be documented and any unused or unsupported funds returned.
Participant responsibilities
Plan carefully. Travel safely. Report the impact.
- Provide an accurate event, itinerary, lodging, and estimated budget
- Disclose relationships with Foundation insiders or related businesses
- Obtain written approval before major trip or budget changes
- Follow event rules, laws, safety standards, and respectful conduct
- Provide parent or guardian consent and supervision plans for minors
- Return refunds, credits, rebates, and unused advances when applicable
- Submit itemized receipts and proof of payment by the deadline
- Complete a short post-travel learning and impact report
Request assistance
Have an opportunity worth traveling for?
Complete the TAP application with your event information, expected benefit, travel plan, estimated costs, and access needs. BOLT Gaming Foundation will review eligible requests using published criteria and available funding.