UPDATE: JULY 27, 2026

This scholarship is currently paused.

We are not accepting new applications for review at this time. Applications submitted after July 27, 2026 will not be reviewed or considered under the quarterly cycle previously announced. The program will resume on a date to be determined, and we will announce updates here when they're available.

Cultivate Mosaic Scholarship #1. Access to Climbing Leadership Opportunities 

The Carolina Climbers Coalition and Cultivate Climbing aim to support a more diverse and inclusive climbing community by creating pathways into professional climbing leadership. This scholarship provides funding for adults interested in pursuing climbing guide or instructor training, mentorships, or other professional development opportunities. Recipients will be matched with local guides or guide services to help cover training and certification costs. 

Supports adults pursuing:

• Guide and instructor certifications (SPI, CWI, etc.)
• Instruction and skill practice through private guiding days
• Training travel and gear

Award Range:

$500–$1,000 per award  (Typically 1–2 recipients per quarter)

Eligibility:

Applicants must:

- Be 18 years or older

- Live in Western North Carolina

- Be interested in building climbing leadership skills or pursuing guide, instructor, or advanced training opportunities

- Demonstrate through their application responses that this scholarship would meaningfully reduce barriers to accessing these opportunities

We recognize that barriers to accessing climbing can take many forms and are not always reflected through traditional financial documentation. Mosaic Scholarships are awarded on a quarterly basis and are reviewed holistically based on applicants’ written responses.

Applications help us understand:

- The barriers applicants face in accessing climbing opportunities (financial, geographic, social, cultural, or experiential)

- How receiving this support would meaningfully improve access to climbing experiences, training, or leadership pathways

- How this opportunity would support personal goals, confidence, and a sense of belonging within the climbing community

Our goal is to create space for individuals who would benefit from this opportunity and for whom this support would make a real and tangible difference in access to climbing.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and scholarships are awarded once per quarter.

To ensure timely review and award distribution, applicants are encouraged to submit their applications within the first 45 days of each quarter

Applications submitted during these windows are reviewed for that quarter’s awards. Winners will be notified within 30 days of the deadline. 

Applications submitted outside the priority window will automatically be considered in the following quarter’s award cycle.

Applicants not selected in one cycle are welcome to reapply in future quarters.