Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant
Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant supports individuals and small teams combining humanitarian service with alpine adventure to provide lasting benefits for local communities and mountain environments.
This grant was recently updated
Applications are now open for November 2, 2026–January 31, 2027 (11:59 p.m. MST), replacing October 3–December 31, 2025. AAC membership is now required to apply, rather than requested upon selection; expedition guidance and trip-report photo requirements also changed.
Funder: American Alpine Club
Due Dates: November 2, 2026 (Applications open) | January 31, 2027 (Application deadline, 11:59 p.m. MST)
Funding Amounts: Up to $5,000 per grant; one or two grants annually; funds used within one year
Summary: Supports individuals and small teams combining humanitarian service with alpine adventure to benefit local communities and mountain environments.
Key Information: Applicants must be AAC members and U.S. citizens or green card holders.
Description
The American Alpine Club’s Zack Martin Breaking Barriers Grant supports expeditions that put humanitarian service first and alpine adventure second. Created in memory of climber and humanitarian Zack Martin, the program carries forward his commitment to helping people in the places he climbed. Expeditions must demonstrate both community service and an adventure objective involving alpinism, mountaineering, rock or ice climbing, ski mountaineering, or bouldering.
Humanitarian work must provide immediate benefits while remaining feasible, sustainable, and capable of serving local people beyond initial implementation. Priorities include teaching practical skills, contributing to infrastructure, and providing continued support. The adventure component focuses on alpine-related exploration or discovery that advances understanding and improvement of the alpine environment. Non-alpine activities may qualify when they enhance the alpine, climbing, or mountaineering environment.
