Posted on December 30th, 2025

The initiative offers middle schools, high schools, and universities a turnkey solution to transform student-athlete development amidst the era of NIL and the Transfer Portal. 

SILVER SPRING, Maryland – The landscape of student-athletics is shifting rapidly. With the pressures of early recruitment, the complexities of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and the fluidity of the transfer portal, today's student-athletes face challenges that extend far beyond the playing field. To address this widening gap, the CKA SAVE Project is proud to announce the launch of the Find the Balance Grant, a comprehensive initiative designed to empower holistic success and professional development from middle school to college. 

Grounded in Self-Determination Theory and the research of Dr. Keith Adams, this grant moves beyond the traditional concept of "mandatory study halls." Instead, it provides educational institutions with a proven, data-driven framework that treats academic and professional development as a discipline—transferring the grit, focus, and strategy of sports directly into the classroom and the workforce. 

"In these changing times, we must prepare athletes for more than just the next game; we must prepare them for the next stage of life," says Dr. Keith Adams, President of the CKA SAVE Project. "We are looking for partners ready to innovate—educators and coaches who want to prove that the drive used to win games can be transferred to win degrees and careers." 

A Complete Educational Ecosystem 

The Find the Balance Grant is a turnkey solution for athletic departments seeking to implement CKA 101: Finding the Balance, a holistic success course. The program utilizes a "No Secrets" environment where potential meets production, whether building foundational habits in middle school or refining career readiness at the university level. 

Selected grant recipients will receive:  

• Curriculum & Instruction: A full class set of the book Finding the Balance: My Personal Journey to Academic and Athletic Success by Dr. Keith Adams 
• The CKA 101 Course Guide: Access to a syllabus featuring Project-Based Learning (PBL) and a unique "Front Loading" methodology that mimics the rigor of higher education 
• Digital Toolkit: Licenses for proprietary tracking tools, including the Academic Baseball Card (ABC) and Academic Monitoring Grid (AMG) 
• Program Funding: A $250 stipend to support supplementary resources, guest speakers, or student project materials 
• Expert Onboarding: Virtual training for instructors on implementing accountability structures that mirror real-world professional expectations  

Eligibility and Application 

The CKA SAVE Project invites applications from:  

• Public & Private Middle Schools: Focusing on early intervention and habit formation 
• High Schools: Aiming to improve graduation rates and NCAA eligibility 
• College & University Athletic Programs: Seeking to improve retention and transition athletes into community leaders 

Timeline: The application window is open from January through June, with awards announced in August. Applicants must submit a Project Statement and Implementation Plan via email. 

For more information on the CKA SAVE Project or to apply for the grant, please visit www.ckasaveproject.org or contact [email protected].  

About the CKA SAVE Project: The CKA SAVE Project is dedicated to bridging the gap between athletic motivation, academic production, and future professional success. Through data-driven frameworks and holistic curriculums, CKA SAVE empowers student-athletes to apply the discipline of sport to their educational and professional lives.