Run the Alps Tour Grant Program

At Run the Alps, we believe that trail running can be a life-enriching, even life-changing, experience – and we’ve built our company around sharing those experiences with others. However, we recognize that trail running, and our trips specifically, can be out of reach for many due to social and economic barriers.

As part of our commitment to fostering an inclusive trail running community, where everyone feels welcomed, we’re very happy to announce the next step in our Net Positive journey: the Run the Alps Tour Grant Program. This initiative is focused on making our trips more accessible, and in doing so, we hope to play a small role in increasing the inclusivity of trail running.

The program aims to help people from historically excluded or underrepresented communities join our trips, by providing an opportunity to attend at a reduced or no cost. This includes, but is not limited to, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, adaptive athletes, and those experiencing socioeconomic barriers. We designed this program with trail runners of all levels in mind.  Run the Alps offers trips of varying difficulty, and will match grantees with the right trip for them.

If you think you or someone you know may be a candidate for a grant, read on to learn more. We are accepting applications for 2025 trips through March 15th, 2025. Grant winners will be announced by the end of March to allow grant recipients time to plan their schedules.

2025 is the pilot year of this program. While we sought advice from trail runners and inclusivity activists, including Mirna Valerio and Brent James, we expect there will be opportunities to improve. Your feedback is important, and we welcome your thoughts on how to better serve the community. You can contact us any time by email.

What kind of support does Run the Alps provide?

• Run the Alps provides financial support, in the form of reduced or eliminated trip fees. The level of support depends on your needs and our ability to fund grants.
  • Grants are typically in the $1,000-3,000 range, though on rare occasions, we may offer trips at no cost.
  • Where there is a balance to be paid by grantees, it goes towards covering essential costs like lodging and guiding fees. Run the Alps will not make a profit from grant-supported tour spots.

• While trail running isn’t the most gear-intensive sport, we know that much of the lightweight, top-of-the-line gear requires a significant budget. We have some gear that we can lend to you during your trip and are always willing to try to help you get second-hand or discounted gear through our partners if needed. Please let us know in your application if this is of interest.

• We’ll match grant recipients with a member of our staff or community who is familiar with our trips and can answer your questions and help support you through the trip preparation process. 

• AT THIS TIME RUN THE ALPS IS UNABLE TO SUPPORT TRAVEL EXPENSES.

Is the Tour Grant Program applicable to all your trips?

The Run the Alps Tour Grant Program is applicable to all self-guided trips and all guided trips, excluding those with guest runners, pending availability. We commit to matching you with a tour that’s right for you.

How do I apply?

It’s easy! Applications for 2025 trips should be sent to us by email before March 15th, 2025. Please read on for more information, including the grant application.

We will contact you to let you know our decision by the end of March.  

How do I know if I qualify for a grant?

Anyone over the age of 18 can apply for a Run the Alps Tour Grant. 

Our goal is to help people from historically excluded or underrepresented or excluded communities  participate in our trips. This includes, but is not limited to, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, adaptive athletes, and people facing socioeconomic barriers.

We will review every application in detail and will base our decisions on factors including the barriers you have encountered, financial need, and the potential impact that your participation might have on you and your community.

Who reviews the applications? 

All applications are reviewed by our Tour Grant selection committee, which is made up of two members of the Run the Alps staff and one external advisor. If the committee has any questions about your application they will reach out to you before the selection process is finalized. All applications are reviewed in confidence.

What happens if I get selected? 

If you are chosen to receive a grant, Run the Alps will contact you by email by the end of March. We will work with you to confirm which trip you will be attending. We aim to have all trips confirmed in April to ensure that accommodations can be booked. 

If you are awarded a grant, we’ll ask you to sign our Grant Agreement, which outlines mutual commitments between you and Run the Alps. 

I would like to support the grant program. How do I do that? 

If you or an organization you know is interested in supporting the Run the Alps Tour Grant Program to expand access to trail running and our trips, please reach out to us at tourgrants@runthealps.com. We welcome your support!