Other Climbing & Mountaineering Grants For Expeditions
The two main bodies providing financial support for mountaineering expeditions are The Mount Everest Foundation and The BMC. There are also several other awards and funds details of which can be found in the "Directory of Grant Giving organisations" produced by The Expedition Advisory Centre.
MAIN GRANT GIVING BODIES
The Mount Everest Foundation:
Created primarily to support and encourage exploration of mountain regions, particularly little explored or formerly inaccessible areas; expeditions attempting faces, ridges and summits by first ascents or by established routes in more challenging conditions; as well as primarily scientific expeditions. Information and application forms are available from the Honorary Secretary (W.H. Ruthven, Gowrie, Cardwell Close, Warton, Preston, PR4 1SH. Tel. 0772 635 346).
The British Mountaineering Council:
The international Committee of the BMC provides support for expeditions exploring remote mountain areas or making first British ascents or ascents of technically demanding objectives in the greater ranges, by obtaining and awarding Sports Council grants and/or giving an expedition approved status. Their criteria are similar to those of the MEF. Application forms for BMC grant are available from the MEF secretary. Information regarding BMC grants is available from the BMC National Officer (BMC, 177-179 Burton Road, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 2BB. Tel: 0870 010 4878).
Nick Estcourt Award:
For teams attempting difficult routes. (Secretary, 24, Grange Rd, Bowden Cheshire, WA14 3EE).
Alison Chadwick Memorial Fund:
Gives grants to women climbers (C/O The MEF Honorary Secretary)
Mick Burke Award:
Presented to film makers (BBC Natural History Unit, Whiteladies Rd, Bristol 8).
Sang Award:
For Scottish expeditions (Scottish Mountaineering Club, Hon. Sec. Mr JRR Fowler, 4 Doune Ter. Edinburgh, EH3 6DY. Tel. 031 226 4055).
Liam Elliot Memorial Award:
Gives grants to young Scottish Expeditions (C/O Hamish Irvine, Feoran, Craig na Gower Avenue, Aviemore PU22 1RW).
The Kenneth Smith Scholarship / Memorial Adventure Award:
Given by the Alpine Ski Club (GB) to ski mountaineering trips, especially young skiers. £400 available. Non-members may apply. (sae to The ASC Awards sub-committee, Mrs Jay Turner, 34 Clarence Way, Horley, Surrey RH6 9GT, Tel. 01293 820 836)
The Georgina Travers Award:
Given by the Eagle Ski Club and offering £300 towards ski mountaineering expeditions (sae to The Eagle Ski Club, Touring Secretary, Nigel Estlick, Kent House, Amesbury, Wiltshire SP4 7AP, Tel. 01980 623 087)
MANUFACTURERS AWARDS
Several Manufacturers have now set up an awards system rather than offering sponsorship. Below is a selection of known current awards:
The Polartec Challenge:
Aimed at courageous and unusual outdoor undertakings by mostly self-financing teams. Look up details at www.polartec.com. Deadline for entries is the end of September.
Helly Hansen Mountain Adventure Award:
For small non-guide-based expeditions, using predominantly human-powered approaches and tactics to achieve their objectives. Climbing new routes, rarely repeated historic routes, exploring uncharted territory and those using unconventional means on unconventional routes! £2,500 in cash and sets of clothing awarded. (HH Mountain Award, Marketing Dept. Helly Hansen UK, Regent House, Clinton Avenue, Nottingham NG5 1AZ).
OTHERS
The Winston Churchill Travelling Fellowship:
Often this annual award includes a category for ‘adventure exploration’. (Details obtained by sending an sae to ‘The Winston Churchill Memorial Trust’ 15 Quen’s Gate Terrace, London SW7 5PR. Closing dates for applications is October 24th).