MOUNTAINEERING FELLOWSHIP FUND GRANT

Started in 1966, Mountaineering Fellowship Grants have long encouraged American climbers age 25 years and younger to go into remote areas and seek out climbs more difficult than they might ordinarily be able to do. Unexplored mountain ranges, unclimbed peaks, and difficult new routes are looked upon with favor.

AWARDS


Grants vary by project, but typically range between $300 and $800 and help to cover travel, gear, or other expenses that you need to achieve your objective.

APPLICATION PERIOD

The application period for the Mountaineering Fellowship Grant is from October 3 through December 31. Applications must be submitted via the online application no later than 11:59 p.m. MST on December 31.

Recipients are notified after the selection committee has made their final award choices in January.

CRITERIA / GUIDELINES

  • Only U.S. citizens 25 years of age or younger may apply. Applicant should be no older than 25 at the time of the application deadline.

  • The review committee encourages applications from teams emphasizing the fellowship component of their objective.

  • Grants are awarded based on the proposed project’s excellence and evidence of appropriate mountaineering experience.

  • Membership in The American Alpine Club is required.  

  • Members of a single expedition may apply individually. Organized groups/expeditions are ineligible.

  • Grants are not available for the purpose of climbing instruction.

RECIPIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Expectations of grant recipients include:

  • Grant Recipients will act as American Alpine Club ambassadors to the domestic and  international climbing communities and are expected to champion the mission, values, and support of the Club.

  • Recipients should do their best to practice environmentally low impact and leave no trace ethics, acting as strong mountain stewards.

  • Within two months of returning, all grant recipients must submit to the AAC a written expedition report (including photos) for possible inclusion in AAC publications and/or posting on the AAC website. Failure to submit expedition report will result in applicant being ineligible for future AAC grants.

  • Grant Recipients may be called upon to give a presentation of the expedition at a national or local AAC sponsored event or other public engagement. It is expected that recipients participate in these callings and mention the support of the AAC when speaking about the expedition. 

  • If, after a grant is awarded, additional funding is obtained and the grant funds are no longer needed, or if an expedition is “over funded,” the recipient is asked to return all surplus funds to the AAC. Also, if after the grant is awarded a corporate sponsorship is awarded to the expedition, all funds from the AAC must be returned.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Proposals are accepted for expeditions occurring within one calendar year of the award date.

  • Funding shall not be released to recipients until necessary permits and/or visas have been obtained.

  • If for any reason the project is canceled or significantly altered, recipients must contact the AAC Grants Manager. If requested, all awarded funds must be returned to the AAC in full.

Explore Stories from Past Recipients