Photo by AAC member Seth Anderson
Grants
AAC members are first and foremost connected through our passion for climbing. The AAC’s grants program awarded over $87,000 in 2025 and is designed to support all members in their climbing pursuits—whether they’re gunning for cutting edge first ascents or everyday climbers seeking out an adventure on their own terms. We also fund research grants, supporting scientific research expeditions that contribute valuable information to our understanding of the world’s mountain ecosystems.
This year, the AAC is expanding grant support by raising minimum award amounts, nearly doubling its financial commitment to grantees, and opening two formerly alpine-centered grants to big-wall climbers and boulderers.
Through these grants, 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.
The fall grants cycle is now open. The following grants are accepting applications through January 31, 2027:
AAC Grants 2025 Impact
$87,100 +
Distributed to climbers to help them follow their climbing dreams, conduct research supporting climbing landscapes, and conserve crags.
81
Total grant recipients.
Explore American Alpine Club Grants
Live Your Dream
Supports everyday adventurers looking to take their abilities to the next level and achieve their climbing dreams—be it in the backyard or the greater ranges.
Catalyst Grant
Funds historically underrepresented communities, specifically those with demonstrated need. This grant seeks to close opportunity gaps.
Research Grant
We fund projects that enrich our understanding of the ecosystems and landscapes that are a part of the climbing experience, contribute vital knowledge to the management of climbing environments, and improve the health and sustainability of the climbing community.
Cutting Edge Grant
Supports seasoned climbers undertaking high-level objectives in remote areas, including unclimbed peaks, difficult new routes, FFAs, and similar objectives.
Mountaineering Fellowship Fund Grant
Supports young climbers and alpinists to take the next step, especially going into remote areas or seeking out climbs more difficult than they might ordinarily be able to do.
Climbing Grief Grant
This grant offers financial support for individuals directly impacted by grief, loss, and/or trauma related to climbing, ski mountaineering or alpinism.
McNeill-Nott Award
Supports teams of amateur female climbers exploring new routes or unclimbed peaks with small and lightweight teams.
Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant
This grant seeks to fund expeditions that focus, primarily, on humanitarian efforts and, secondly, on an objective involving alpinism, mountaineering, rock/ice climbing or bouldering.
Momentum Grant
The American Alpine Club established the Momentum Grant in 2026 in partnership with the family of Austin Mallet. The grant aims to support intermediate to advanced alpine climbing projects, including establishing new lines or repeating a major route.
Explore Stories from Past Recipients
