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 $200k in 2023 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.

Open Grants


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.

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Catalyst Grant

Funds historically underrepresented communities, specifically those with demonstrated need or those that are serving to close opportunity gaps.

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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.

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Cutting Edge Grant

Supports seasoned climbers undertaking high-level objectives in remote areas, including unclimbed peaks, difficult new routes, FFAs, and similar objectives.

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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.

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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.


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McNeill-Nott Award


Supports teams of amateur female climbers exploring new routes or unclimbed peaks with small and lightweight teams.

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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 and bouldering.

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Pay What You Can

The AAC and The North Face believe that Pay What You Can programs are a sustainable way to provide options for those who are otherwise unable to afford gym fees. This grant supports upfront cost to getting a PWYC program off the ground for your gym.

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Explore Stories from Past Recipients