MOUNTAINEERING FELLOWSHIP FUND -

ROCK & ALPINE

Since 1966, Mountaineering Fellowship Fund Grants have encouraged American climbers under 26 to explore remote areas and seek out climbs more difficult than they might ordinarily pursue. Unexplored mountain ranges, unclimbed peaks, bold big-wall climbs, challenging boulders, and new routes are looked upon with favor.

In 2026, the Mountaineering Fellowship Fund will continue to support ambitious climbing goals through two grant categories: MFFG Alpine and MFFG Rock. MFFG Alpine will continue the grant’s tradition of supporting ambitious mountaineering projects. MFFG Rock will expand the grant’s support to include additional climbing disciplines, considering proposals for big-wall climbs, hard new boulders, and projecting of single pitch sport and trad climbs that push awardees’ skills to new heights. 

The Mountaineering Fellowship Fund Grant is supported by Feathered Friends. 

AWARDS

Grants vary by project, but will range between $3,000 and $7,500 and help to cover travel, gear, or other expenses that you need to achieve your objective.

TIMELINE

The application period for the Mountaineering Fellowship Grant is from November 2 through January  31. Applications must be submitted via the online application portal no later than 11:59 p.m. MST on January 31.

All applicants will be notified after the selection committee has made their final award choices in February.

SELECTION CRITERIA

•  Applicants should be no older than 25 at the time of the application deadline.
• Projects should occur one year from award announcements (between March 2027 and March 2028).
• Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents may apply. 
• Grants are awarded based on the proposed climbing or mountaineering project’s excellence and evidence of appropriate mountaineering, bouldering, or other relevant climbing experience.
•  Proposed projects should demonstrate technical skill and applicant’s progression within their discipline. 
• The review committee encourages applications from teams emphasizing the fellowship component of their objective.
• Membership in The American Alpine Club is required. 
• Members of a single expedition should apply individually on behalf of the whole team. 
• Paid, guided expeditions are ineligible.
• Grants are not available for the purpose of climbing instruction.

ZACK MARTIN BREAKING BARRIERS GRANT 

 The Zack Martin Breaking Barriers (ZMBB) Grant was created in memory of Zack Martin, an avid climber and humanitarian who died just before his 25th birthday. Concerned about the failure to "pay it forward" and help those in the places he climbed, Zack committed himself to performing humanitarian services in the communities in which he explored. His efforts were supported through multiple grants including ones from the American Alpine Club (AAC) and the Anatoli Boukreev Grant. Zack championed “breaking barriers” in the alpine environment, and “breaking barriers” in the hearts of humans.

This grant funds expeditions that focus, primarily, on humanitarian efforts and, secondly, on an objective involving alpinism, mountaineering, rock/ice climbing and bouldering. Exploration in other areas such as ski mountaineering that lead to a greater understanding and improvement of the alpine environment will be considered for the grant.  Successful candidates will demonstrate how their expedition fully encompasses both tenets of this grant.

AWARDS

One or two awards of up to $5,000 will be awarded annually to individuals or small teams that best meet the criteria. 

APPLICATION PERIOD

The application period for the Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant is from November 2 through January  31. Applications must be submitted via the online application portal no later than 11:59 p.m. MST on January 31.

All applicants will be notified after the selection committee has made their final award choices in February. 

CRITERIA / GUIDELINES  

Humanitarian Objective 

The Humanitarian Objective must have immediate human impact, and be both feasible and sustainable. It must ensure continuity to provide benefits to local people after initial implementation. Ideally, objectives will teach locals “how to,” enable infrastructure, and provide some level of continued support and funding. Recipients are evaluated on overall impact, with a high expectation of service to the individual community.

Examples of acceptable objectives have included: Composting toilets in Huascaran National Park in Peru, building and teaching locals gravity-fed water filtration systems in Ecuador, combined medical clinic and schoolhouse construction with solar power and ongoing support for local villages.

Alpine Objective 

The Alpine Objective must focus on alpine related adventure and/or discovery in the natural environment. A non-alpine adventure or exploration activity will be considered if the non-alpine objective leads to enhancement of the alpine/climbing/mountaineering environment.  

Note: The Zack Martin Grant does not fund: 1. Research of any kind, 2. Most education efforts, like teaching locals how to climb 3. Promotion of ecotourism, climate change projects, etc. 

RECIPIENT RESPONSIBILITIES 

• If for any reason the project is canceled or significantly changed, awarded funds must be returned to the American Alpine Club (AAC) in full. When you know your final travel dates, please let the Grants Director know.
• Funds must be used within one year of the grant award date. 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.
• Upon returning, all Grant Recipients are required to submit to the AAC a written Trip Report that includes no less than five, high-quality and high-resolution photos. In general, Trip Reports should incorporate a brief written component (ideally 500–1,500 words) giving a general summary of the trip. Appropriate imagery that illustrates these components should also be included. The Trip Report is due within 90 days of trip completion.
• Grant Recipients may be asked to provide high-quality photography and/or videography illustrating the expedition, including imagery that exemplifies the AAC’s mission and promotes the AAC brand. Any photos/videos submitted with the Trip Report remain property of the grantees, but the AAC reserves the right to reproduce submitted photos/videos in any manner for marketing or promotional purposes. 
• Recipients are required to mention the Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant as well as their support from the AAC if speaking about the grant publicly.
• Awardees may be asked by the AAC to give a public presentation about their grant at Club events. It is expected that recipients participate in these events where possible and mention the support of the AAC when speaking about the expedition.
• Grant Recipients will act as AAC 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 friendly and leave no trace ethics, and to act as mountain stewards.
• Failure to submit a Trip Report within the allotted time or failure to comply with any of the points listed here will result in the applicant being ineligible for future AAC grants.

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.

FEATURED PAST RECIPIENTS

Mighty Water

Mighty Water provides clean drinking water in rural areas through the use of a simple, two 5-gallon bucket filtration system that is low cost and easily maintained. The key innovation is the Safi Gravity Water Filter, a groundbreaking technology designed to provide a simple and affordable, yet efficient solution to water contamination. Safi utilizes advanced filtration techniques to remove harmful parasites and bacteria from water, making it safe for consumption. The Safi system is easy to build, easy to use, and requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for communities with limited resources and infrastructure. In 5 years, clean and safe drinking water is being enjoyed by nearly 100,000 people for two and a half cents per household per day. Our filters are located in Africa, South America and Nepal. MIGHTY WATER | Help Uplift Communities with Clean and Safe Water

Lilliana Libecki

At 12, Lilliana Libecki has seen more of the world than most people will in their lifetimes. She has visited sixteen countries, all seven continents, and has summited Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. With a passion for adventure and humanitarian work, which she inherited from her parents, Lilliana continues to help the planet and its people. She has received the ZMBB Grant several times and has built combined clinics/schoolhouses in remote areas of those seven continents. The clinics/schoolhouses are solar powered, and they offer computer access, educational materials, and medical supplies. They also boast a long-term support mechanism to ensure functionality of the clinics/schoolhouses. 

This needs-based grant offers financial support for individuals pursuing therapeutic services based on being directly impacted by grief, loss, and/or trauma related to activities of climbing, ski mountaineering, or alpinism. The grant award is up to $600 and is intended to be used toward individual therapy or a professional program that engages a grief or trauma framework. 

Grant applications are reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Applicant is experiencing distress due to grief or trauma related to climbing, ski mountaineering, or alpinism
• The application contains an expressed and outlined plan to work with a specific professional or organization
• Awards are made through a comprehensive review that recognizes financial need while also valuing broader merit and context. Applicants will describe how this grant will help them overcome barriers, which may include financial barriers, to accessing the therapeutic services outlined
• Funds cannot be used to reimburse or pay back the applicant for services paid before notification of the grant award 
• Funds must be used within one calendar year of receipt 
• Applicants who have not been able to access prior therapy or treatment shall be prioritized
• The applicant is a U.S. citizen or Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) Holder

You may apply for this grant at any time.  Please fill out our application and use our mental health directory to find a therapist or program of your choosing. Providers in the directory have agreed to provide 4-6 appointments for the $600 award amount, though there may be some variability depending on the specific services provided. You may select a therapist or program that is not listed in our directory.

Please note that applications will only be considered after applicants have identified and contacted their chosen therapist or program organizer. Providers are often willing to work with individuals who have limited funds. We recommend discussing rates and availability with your provider ahead of time.

Please reach out to us at grieffund@americanalpineclub.org if there are questions concerning the application process (such as selecting a therapist or program).

All Grant applications will remain confidential. We will notify you of approval within 2 weeks of submission. If awarded, the AAC will send the recipient the funds via direct deposit, or if requested, via check to the address associated with their application. The AAC does not pay the therapy service provider. Instead, the recipient will pay the service provider once they receive the grant money.

Together, we are building a community that gets support and gives support.

CUTTING EDGE - ROCK & ALPINE 

The American Alpine Club has inspired and supported cutting-edge climbing achievements for more than 100 years. From funding the first ascent of Mt. Logan in 1925 and the exploration of the Karakoram in 1938, to the 2006 first ascent of Nanga Parbat’s Rupal Face, and the countless expeditions in between, the AAC encourages climbers to push their limits.

The Cutting Edge Grant continues this tradition, funding advanced athletes in pursuit of world-class climbing and mountaineering objectives.

Starting in 2026, the AAC is broadening our definition of Cutting Edge to support the range of disciplines that make up the climbing community.  This year, Cutting Edge will include two separate categories: Rock and Alpine. Cutting Edge Alpine will continue to support mountaineering expeditions that put up first-ascents and new lines in remote mountain ranges. Cutting Edge Rock will broaden the grant’s support to include history-making big-wall climbs, new boulders, and single pitch sport and trad climbs of local or international significance. All applications will be judged on the exploratory nature and adventurousness of the proposed project.

Through this grant, AAC advances climbing exploration and public education by supporting significant climbing objectives and sharing the resulting knowledge, experiences, and lessons with the broader climbing community.

AWARDS 

Cutting Edge Grant awards significantly contribute towards total expedition costs. Awards typically fall within the $5,000 to $15,000 range, however award amounts will vary based on project and budget.

APPLICATION PERIOD

The application period for the Cutting Edge Grant is from November 2 through January 31. Applications must be submitted via the online application portal no later than 11:59 p.m. MST on January 31.

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

CRITERIA 

Proposals will be evaluated upon:

• Goal. The Cutting Edge Grant funds individuals planning expeditions to remote areas featuring  unexplored mountain ranges, unclimbed peaks, difficult new routes, first free ascents, or similar world-class pursuits. This year, Cutting Edge will also support challenging new big-wall climbs, boulders, and single pitch sport and trad routes of local or international significance. Objectives featuring a low-impact style and leave-no-trace mentality will be looked upon with favor.
• Experience. Applicants should possess a strong resume of past climbing achievements and/or experiences that illustrate a reasonable potential for success. She or he must demonstrate that they are an advanced and capable climber. Experience must be in keeping with the difficulty of the stated objective.
• Eligibility. Individuals who are U.S. citizens and members of the American Alpine Club are eligible to apply. The Cutting Edge Grant is open to all climbers, including those receiving financial support or in-kind support from corporate sponsors, however the level of sponsorship must be disclosed. Other team members need not be U.S. citizens. Teams will be funded through one application. Only one member of the team should apply. 

The AAC encourages all capable athletes seeking worthy objectives to apply. If you have a question or a doubt regarding your project goal, experience level, or eligibility, please reach out to the AAC  Grants Director.

RECIPIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

 Content Deliverable Plan

The highest standard of deliverables, including trip reports, articles, media, and outreach are expected from Cutting Edge Grant recipients. The AAC Grants Director  and American Alpine Journal editorial staff will work directly with recipients to develop a plan for appropriately documenting the expedition, developing timelines for submission, and creating appropriate engagement expectations. This plan will be developed and agreed upon by both parties prior to the expedition date.

Interested grantees may be provided with media mentorship and production assistance to document their stories in an elevated way in all three phases of the production process: pre-production, field production, and post. The AAC may also offer on-site production assistance during the expedition or trip preparation.  

Trip Commitment

Recipients should demonstrate a commitment to their objective by expressing a detailed understanding of the proposed expedition’s objective, timeline, budget, and logistics, including what permits and/or visas may be required.

Club Representation

Recipients will act as American Alpine Club ambassadors to the international climbing community and are expected to champion the mission, values, and support of the Club both domestically and abroad. Recipients should do their best to practice environmentally low impact and leave no trace ethics, acting as strong mountain stewards. Recipients are expected to obey the rules and regulations of the host country in which they are climbing.

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 Director of Grants. If requested, all awarded funds must be returned to the AAC in full.

MCNEILL-NOTT AWARD 

With the untimely death of Sue Nott and her partner Karen McNeill on Mt. Foraker in 2006, The AAC partnered with Mountain Hardwear to establish the McNeill-Nott Award in their memory. This grant honors the spirit of pioneering women climbers by supporting non-professional, women-led teams that are pursuing new routes or first ascents with small, lightweight expeditions. 

The McNeill-Nott award advances opportunities for women in climbing and alpinism, encourages exploration and achievement, and celebrates their contributions to the sport.  Eligibility is limited to women-led teams, with preference given to teams composed entirely of women, including those who identify as women.

AWARD AMOUNT 

Two or three grants between $5,000 and $7,500 will be awarded annually to teams that best meet the criteria for pursuing an exploratory objective.

APPLICATION PERIOD 

The application period for the McNeill-Nott Award is from November 2 through January 31. Applications must be submitted via the online portal no later than 11:59 p.m. MST on January 31.

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

CRITERIA/ELIGIBILITY 

This grant is only open to female led teams (all women or women identified people are welcome to apply) with preference given to teams composed entirely of female or female identifying members. We look forward to supporting and celebrating the successes of female climbers and alpinists.

• Proposals are accepted for expeditions occurring within one calendar year of the award date.
• The committee will consider the proposed climbing objectives’ compelling nature, remoteness, exploratory nature, and the overall significance of the project. Acceptable objectives could range from exploring hidden Alaskan gems to a new route in the Himalaya (see past recipients for examples).
• The committee prioritizes projects that have strong exploratory and adventurous mountaineering objectives. These elements are more important than the technical rating of the climbing objective.
• The team’s planned climbing style is considered. Teams climbing with the highest ethical standards and small, lightweight teams using a minimum of fixed ropes, camps, personnel, and equipment are strongly favored. Commercial, professional, and principally cause-related expeditions are ineligible.
• The selection committee considers the team’s overall experience level, which must match the proposed objective.
• Membership in The American Alpine Club is required
• The grant applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, though team members may be foreign citizens.
• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and complete legal liability releases.
• All expeditions must be legal and obtain all necessary visas and permits required by local authorities.
• All expeditions must be conducted in an environmentally conscious and sound way, and with care and respect for local inhabitants.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Interested recipients may be provided with media mentorship and production assistance to document their stories in an elevated way in all three phases of the production process: pre-production, field production, and post. The AAC may also offer on-site production assistance during the expedition or trip preparation.  
• Funding shall not be released to recipients until necessary permits and/or visas have been obtained and grant agreements have been signed.
• If for any reason the project is canceled or significantly altered, recipients must contact the AAC Director of Grants and Community Support. If requested, all awarded funds must be returned to the AAC in full.

RECIPIENT RESPONSIBILITIES

• 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 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 an expedition report may result in the 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.