American Alpine Club climbing grants, 2011 deadlines approaching

Every year the American Alpine Club awards more $50,000 every year in the form of climbing, conservation, and research grants to budding adventurers and many 2011 deadlines are fast approaching. Climbers must not necessarily be of USA origin to be receive the grants, but they must be members of the American Alpine Club
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Ian Nicholson and Graham Zimmerman were awarded one of the Mountain Fellowship awards in 2007 for a first ascent attempt on the West Face of Kichatna Spire.
American Alpine Club archive
The American Alpine Club grants program provides resources for climbers and explorers to attempt new challenges, establish humanitarian programs, protect alpine environments, conduct scientific research, and push the envelope of human accomplishment in mountain and polar environments. The AAC awards over $50,000 annually, although the size and number of awards vary from year to year.

Many grants and awards have application deadlines in the coming weeks. Both the Copp-Dash Inspire Award and the Lara-Karena Bitenieks Kellogg Memorial Conservation Grant have application deadlines of March 31. The Mountain Fellowship Grant — an award targeted at younger climbers beginning their careers — has an application deadline of April 1. The Zach Martin Breaking Barriers Grant — a dual-purpose humanitarian and climbing grant — has an application deadline of April 15. A full list of AAC-administered grants is below, and more information is available on the AAC Grants page

Fuel your inspiration—apply for an AAC grant this year.
• Lyman Spitzer Cutting Edge Award: $12,000 for elite endeavors by small, highly qualified teams. Deadline: January 1.
• McNeill-Nott Grant: $5,000 in memory of Karen McNeill and Sue Nott for non-pro/non-sponsored climbers for new routes and unclimbed peaks. Deadline: January 1.
• Research Grants: $9,000 for expeditions that have an academic research component. Deadline: March 1.
• Scott Fischer Memorial Conservation Grant: In memory of Scott Fischer, this grant helps fund environmentally proactive expeditions around the world. Deadline: March 1.
• Nikwax Alpine Bellwether Grant: $3,000 for expeditions that focus on photography and observation of climate change impacts. Deadline: March 1.
• Copp-Dash Inspire Award: $20,000, in memory of Jonny Copp and Micah Dash, supports small teams tackling difficult climbs in the greater ranges who will document and share their experiences through multimedia. Deadline: March 31.
• Lara-Karena Bitenieks Kellogg Memorial Conservation Grant: This grant is intended for expeditions, with measurable goals, to support and improve the health and sustainability of mountain environments and habitats. Deadline: March 31.
• Mountain Fellowship: $9,000 for non-pro applicants under the age of 25 for major endeavors. Two deadlines: April 1 and November 1.
• Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant: Under $2,000 in memory of Zack Martin, for trips with a humanitarian element. Deadline: April 15.



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