Grit & Rock Expedition Grants for female mountaineering sets 31 March 2026 deadline

The UK-based charity GRIT&ROCK has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 Expedition Grant Awards, a dedicated $15,000 funding pool aimed at advancing female participation in groundbreaking alpine climbing. With a mission to use mountaineering to help young women build grit and resilience, the charity is now calling for ambitious projects from teams worldwide. The application deadline is March 31, 2026.

Launched in 2022, the GRIT&ROCK grants have quickly become a significant catalyst for women-led expeditions. The awards are structured into three distinct categories to support a wide spectrum of alpinists:

• Performance: For ambitious, high-difficulty ascents where technical prowess matches the project's ambition.
• Exploration: For well-crafted projects focused on discovering and mapping new routes in remote areas.
• Apprenticeship: Designed to foster alpine skills and independence for climbers taking a significant next step in their careers, such as a guide leading their first alpine-style ascent.

Eligibility and Spirit of the Award
The grants are open to individuals and teams with at least 50% female participation, where the lead applicant is a woman. The core criterion is a commitment to pioneering spirit: proposals must focus on first ascents or innovative new routes on unclimbed or lightly-explored peaks. Expeditions to previously climbed routes will only be considered within the Apprenticeship category.

Applicants must demonstrate not only a high level of alpine competence and self-sufficiency but also a proven track record of teamwork. A strong preference will be given to teams with a history of successful joint projects.

Understanding the financial hurdles of expedition planning, GRIT&ROCK states a clear preference for applicants for whom the grant will make a "significant difference to the viability of their trip." The award is intended to cover up to 30% of an expedition's total cost, acting as a crucial piece of a complete funding package. Disbursement is conditional on recipients securing all necessary permits and the remainder of their budget.

In line with its mission to inspire the next generation, successful teams will be expected to share their journey and findings through social media. GRIT&ROCK also offers support in managing media outreach for the funded projects.

Application Process
Proposals must be submitted via email to award@gritandrock.com by the March 31st deadline. A complete application includes a project abstract, detailed route description with maps, a comprehensive budget and climbing plan, and climbing CVs for all team members.

An external panel of alpinism experts will assess all applications in April 2026. Following their expedition, grant recipients are required to submit a detailed report with imagery and media coverage, and may be invited to share their experience through GRIT&ROCK's school outreach programmes.

This initiative represents a targeted and practical effort to level the playing field in expeditionary alpinism, directly empowering women to explore, perform, and lead in the world's great mountain ranges.

For full criteria, application guidelines, and contact information, visit the GRIT&ROCK website: gritandrock.net