Scholarships for Queer Climbers

  • In collaboration with Mountain Hardwear and guidance from Lila Leatherman at Lamella Consulting and Nikki Smith, this course offers a unique opportunity to learn in a queer and trans-centered learning environment. From our SPI Provider to students, this course aims to create an entry point for future instructors and guides.

    Click to learn more.

  • With its inaugural hosting in 2019, Open Aperture is a photography clinic, taught by Nikki Smith, for underrepresented groups within the outdoor community who are interested in learning more about climbing photography.

    Click here to learn more.

    Click here to apply.

  • Three scholarships for gender-diverse adventurers, including transgender (masculine/feminine) and non-binary folx, will be available in partnership with The Venture Out Project.

    Click to apply.

  • OUT in the Wild Participant (USA)

    OUT in the Wild Guide Mentee (USA)

    Adirondack Queer Ice Fest (USA)

    Climb OUT Fest (United Kingdom)

 Scholarships for BIPOC Climbers

  • Limited to Minnesota & Wisconsin residents (proof of residency required)

    Must be 18 or older as of September 27, 2023

    Applicants will submit an essay and/or a 90-second video expressing how they would benefit from the scholarship, and if applicable any relevant climbing experience(s)

    Winners will record their scholarship experience to share their story on social media

    Deadline: September 11, 2023

    Email AACTCBIPOCMIFscholarships@gmail.com with questions

    Click to learn more.

  • The purpose of the American Alpine Institute's Climbing for Change Alpine Scholarship is to encourage Black people, members of Indigenous groups, and People of Color (BIPOC) to take the next step in advancing their technical backcountry and mountain leadership skills by participating in one or more of the Alpine Institute's programs.

    The Climbing for Change Alpine Scholarship is an annual tuition award valid toward selected AAI courses in amounts up to $2800.

    Click to learn more

  • This is an application for a financial scholarship through Climbers of Color courtesy of American Alpine Institute to take the American Mountain Guides (AMGA) certified Single Pitch Instruction Course (SPI). Two BIPOC will be awarded who are interested in taking this course to teach rock climbing.

    This course is not all BIPOC, but the scholarship will be awarded to 2 BIPOC individuals. This award is half off the tuition of $650.

    Special consideration will be given to Black, Indigenous, trans, non binary, queer, and/or 2 Spirit people. As well as people with low income.

  • We have membership scholarships to three gyms in the Front Range Area - Denver Bouldering Club and The Spot and Movement. This application works for all three of these gyms and you will have the opportunity to indicate which gym(s) you are interested in. We have spots open up at the gyms throughout the year so even if you aren't selected for the initial spots, we may reach out to you in the future about an open spot.

    Please note that at this time we have no open spots for Movement (but feel to apply and indicate your interest so that we can gauge interest).

    Requirements:

    - Recipients must be POC and live in the Front Range of Colorado

    - Six-month gym membership to either the Spot, Denver Bouldering Club or Movement (some memberships include a $15/co-pay)

    - Denver Bouldering Club membership includes: 24/7 Gym Access to 3 Locations (Denver, Thorton & Englewood)

    - The Spot membership includes: Gym Access to 4 Locations (Denver, Boulder, Louisville & Golden)

    - Movement membership include access to 16 locations across the country

    Click to apply

  • We offer two free Single Pitch Instructor course + assessments through our partnership with Denver Mountain Guiding. Application will be linked here when it opens.

 Scholarships for Indigenous Climbers

  • We are offering FREE festival passes to the 2023 Flash Foxy Climbing Festival in Bishop for women, two-spirit and gender non-conforming people from all the tribes in Payahuunadu. The festival will take place the weekend of March 17-19, 2023. This scholarship includes a a ticket to the festival as well $100 travel stipend (if needed). Flash Foxy invites women, two-spirit and gender non-conforming people of all ages and experiences to join us at the Flash Foxy Climbing Festival - children and elders are welcome!

    The 2023 Flash Foxy Climbing Festival will take place the weekend of March 17-19, 2023 in Bishop, CA.

    Click to apply

  • The future of snowsports is one that is diverse, welcoming, equitable, and inclusive. But it won't happen on its own. We must create it.

    That's why we've teamed up with Deenaalee Hodgdon, a Coalition Snow Ambassador and the Creator and Host of On The Land Media, to create a scholarship for Indigenous communities to increase their access to avalanche training and backcountry skiing and riding.

    Click to learn more

 Scholarships for Women Climbers

  • We want to help you fund your next adventure. Your “adventure” can be almost anything where you’re aligning yourself with the Women In the Teton’s values: pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, trying new things, and becoming more confident in the mountains. The funding provided by this program and the number of scholarships awarded is dependent upon the applications received.

    Click to learn more

  • The year 2023 marks the 100th anniversary of the first female ascent of the Grand Teton by Eleanor Davis on August 27th, 1923.

    In the spirit of Eleanor, to celebrate our incredible female guides, and because we love getting women in the mountains, Exum will be hosting an all-female climb of the Grand Teton.

    This application is for our “GRAND" scholarship and awards 1 participant a spot on this all female climb of the Grand Teton.

    Click to learn more

  • The Inge Perkins Scholarship provides aspiring female athletes with opportunities to gain confidence through the physical, mental, and emotional growth that rock climbing and mountaineering nurtures.

    The goal is to develop not just stronger mountain athletes, but engaged, community contributors and future mentors to inspire others.

    Requirements: Must be a member of the Bozeman Climbing Team (BCT) or the Montana Junior Mountaineering Team (JMT).

    Click to learn more

  • The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage climbers who identify as women or other marginalized genders and have a love of the mountains and an affinity for mountain adventure to pursue their dreams and passions and explore guiding as a career. ​​

    Click to learn more

  • Every year, the Summit Scholarship program offers a series of women’s mountaineering stipends to help break down the barriers to entry to the big mountain realm for women from all walks of life.

    The Summit Scholarship started in 2019 with a single $5000 expedition stipend to Island Peak and Everest Basecamp in Nepal (read more). Since then, we have funded over $80,000 in mountaineering scholarships for Kilimanjaro, Mt Shasta, and Mt Baker, the Paria, the Cordillera Blanca, and Aconcagua - with more destinations in the making.

    Each Summit Scholarship recipient typically receives full coverage of their expedition fee as well as top-notch mountaineering footwear from LOWA Boots.

    Click to learn more

Other Affinity Scholarships

  • Value: $2000

    Quantity Available: 1

    Discipline: Any

    Supported by Patagonia

    ———

    All scholarships are open to current AMGA members applying to courses or exams in the Mountain Guide Program. These scholarships cannot be used for Climbing Instructor Programs.

    The application period for 2024 scholarships will be open from May 25th to July 7th, 2023 for use on 2024 Mountain Guide Programs. Scholarships are awarded a year in advance of when they can be used. The Mountain Guide Program schedule runs from November to November. (For example, if a member is awarded a scholarship in August 2023, they will be able to use it for a Mountain Guide Program with a start date after November 15th, 2023 and into the 2024 Mountain Guide Program schedule)

    Click to Learn More

  • This course is for anyone who does not fall into a dominant group at the AMGA. Historically women, people of color, LGBTQ2IA+, and people with various underrepresented identities have faced barriers to entering careers as guides and instructors.

    The Alpine Guide Course (AGC) is designed to take a competent alpine climber and develop the fundamental skills they need to guide in a non-glaciated alpine environment. It provides training for aspiring guides and experienced guides who work in a wide range of alpine environments including alpine rock, mixed terrain, alpine ice, and waterfall ice.

    Click to learn more.

  • The Flash Foxy Scholarship + Leadership Development Fund provides resources and opportunities for women and genderqueer folks to attend and participate at our festivals and education programs as well as offer resources for our community to continue their outdoor education.

    All our courses will be offered on a sliding scale starting at $50. To ensure our programs are fully financially accessible, full scholarships are also available if $50 minimum at the lower end our sliding scale is still too cost prohibitive.

    Click to learn more.

    Click to apply here.

  • She Moves Mountains exists to empower and educate women and non-binary folks through technical climbing clinics and community events. We want all climbers, regardless of their financial status, to have the opportunity to join us.

    From gear to classes, transportation to free time - being able to rock climb (especially outdoors) requires an immense amount of privilege. We have decided to provide unlimited scholarships to our core programs to help lower the financial barrier to entry.

    Eligible applicants have access to a discount code, so climbers can attend our weekend events for as low as $50 and select technical skills clinics for $25.

    Click to learn more

  • It is our mission to make the world class climbing areas accessible to everyone who wants to experience them. We particularly want to focus on bringing indigenous youth as well as people who identify as women in the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. Please complete the following fields and return back to our interim sports director, Michelle LeBlanc at Michelle@ValdezAdventure.com.

    Click to learn more

  • AAC Craggin’ Classic Events

    Flash Foxy Climbing Festival

    Flash Foxy Trad Festival

    Outwild Events

    Red River Gorge Rocktoberfest

Scholarships for Anyone

  • The Albert Nugue Memorial Scholarship Fund was set up in honor of the first PCGI President Mr.Albert Nugue.

    Scholarship awards are based on a combination of financial need and dedication to the field of rock climbing guiding/instruction. In order to be eligible, applicants must earn $30,000.00 or less per year. Experience, interest and dedication to guided rock climbing and instruction are also factored into scholarship award decisions.

    Scholarship awards cover 50% of any given course or assessment. Scholarships are not available for students enrolled in independently provided PCGI courses and assessments offered via approved PCGI mentors and assessors or for any continuing education credit classes.

    Click to learn more

  • All scholarships are open to current AMGA members applying to courses or exams in the Mountain Guide Program. These scholarships cannot be used for Climbing Instructor Programs.

    2024 SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PERIOD WILL RUN FROM MAY 25TH TO JULY 7TH, 2023

    Scholarships:

    AMGA Membership (2 available)

    Craig Leubben Scholarship (Rock Discipline; for candidates with offwidth experience)

    The Doug Parker and Roger Baxter-Jones Memorial (Alpine or Rock Exam; Ski exam will be considered if it is the last exam for IFMGA certification)

    Dr. Jim States Fund (Alpine/Ice Discipline)

    Fallen Guides Scholarship Fund

    Friends of Sierra Guiding Scholarship (Entry level mountain guide track programs; must be a guide in Sierra Nevada, CA region)

    Jim Ratz Memorial Scholarship (For final exam towards IFMGA Certification)

    Petzl

    Young Aspiring Guide Scholarship (For first AMGA Mountain Guide Program)

    Click here to Learn More

    Click here to see the full list

  • The Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education (AORE) is an organization dedicated to serving the needs of recreation and education professionals. The Association’s mission is to provide opportunities for professionals and students in the field of outdoor recreation and education to exchange information, promote the preservation and conservation of the natural environment, and address issues common to college, university, community, military, and other not-for-profit outdoor recreation and education programs.

    AAI supports AORE in two important ways. First, the Institute sends guides to the conference to provide clinics and lectures. And second, AAI provides two $750 scholarships to the AORE conference every year.

    Click to learn more

  • Founded in the memory of Telly Evans, The Redside Foundation is proud to offer a $1,000 scholarship for Idaho Guides attending the University of Idaho.

    Click to learn more

  • The Redside Foundation Guide academic Scholarship is awarded to FOUR guides pursuing higher education at any accredited school in the U.S.

    To be eligible for the Redside Foundation Guide Scholarship you must:

    • Be a Idaho, Wyoming, or Montana professional guide.

    • Be enrolled full time (Fall 2023-Spring 2024) at any accredited college, university, or trade school in the U.S.

    Click to learn more

  • Limited to Minnesota & Wisconsin residents (Proof of residency required)

    Must be under 18 as of the awarding of the scholarship in December

    Applicants will submit an essay and/or a 90-second video expressing how they would benefit from the scholarship, and if applicable any relevant climbing experience(s)

    Winners will record their scholarship experience to share their story on social media

    Email TCAACJFscholarship@gmail.com with questions

    Click to learn more.

  • Limited to Minnesota & Wisconsin residents (proof of residency required)

    Must be 18 or older as of September 27, 2023

    Applicants will submit an essay and/or a 90-second video expressing how they would benefit from the scholarship, and if applicable any relevant climbing experience(s)

    Winners will record their scholarship experience to share their story on social media

    Deadline: September 11, 2023

    Email TCAACMMscholarship@gmail.com with questions

    Click to learn more.

  • The following gyms offer a sliding scale option or volunteer system in return to membership to their facilities:

    Climb Asylum

    Memphis Rox