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. At the same time, 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 launched the Run the Alps Tour Grant Program, an initiative focused on making our trips more accessible. Through this program, in line with our Net Positive Strategy, we hope to play a small role in increasing the inclusivity of trail running.

The Tour Grant Program is designed 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 welcome trail runners of all experience and work closely with each grantee to match them with a trip that’s right for their experience and goals.

To develop this Program we sought advice from trail runners and inclusivity advocates, including Mirna Valerio and Brent James. We’ve also teamed up with On’s Right to Run program, who have provided invaluable advice and funding, in line with their overall mission of igniting the human spirit through movement.We recognize that this work is ongoing, and we expect there will always be opportunities to improve. Your feedback is important to us, and we welcome your thoughts on how we can better serve the community. You can contact us any time by email.

What kind of support does Run the Alps provide?

Tour Grants are designed to reduce both financial and practical barriers to joining a Run the Alps trip. They include:

1. A Run the Alps Tour

Run the Alps will waive the cost of a standard Guided or Self-Guided Trip. This means essential costs such as lodging, guiding, and trip logistics are fully covered. Trips with special guests and deluxe tours are excluded. 

If you require additional on-the-ground support to participate fully in a trip—such as a specific guide or support person—we invite you to share this information in your application. We’ll review these needs with you as part of the selection process.

2. Travel Support

We aim to ensure that travel costs are not a barrier to participating in the Tour Grant Program.

• We are committed to covering up to 50% of reasonable travel costs, with a typical cap of $1,000 USD per person.
• In some cases, we may be able to cover a higher percentage, particularly when doing so can support the use of lower-impact travel options. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis during the application and selection process. 

Grantees will be asked to share their travel options as part of their application, and will be responsible for booking their own travel. They will receive reimbursement after completing their trip.

3. Preparation & Pre-Trip Support

We know that showing up feeling prepared and confident can make a big difference. 

Before your trip, Run the Alps will provide hands-on support to help you get ready, which may include:

• Conversations about what gear to bring and how to prepare for alpine conditions
• Guidance on training and building confidence for your specific trip
• Conservations to ensure individual access, support, or accommodation needs are met
• Connections to other Run the Alps staff, guides, or community members if we think that will be helpful

Our aim is to meet you where you are and help ensure you feel supported long before you arrive in the Alps.

4. Gear & Equipment

We understand that the cost of equipment can be a barrier for some runners.  We’re therefore committed to:

• Working with On’s Right to Run team to provide any additional apparel you may need, such as trail-specific shoes or a running pack.
• Lending you items such as poles and microspikes, when needed for your tour.
• Talking through any adaptive or specialized gear needs as part of the planning process.

Please let us know about any specific gear or equipment needs in your application.

5. Post-Trip Impact Support

After your trip, we’ll invite you to a conversation to explore how your experience might continue to have an impact in your community.

Support can include:

• Up to $500 USD for post-trip community or storytelling projects
• Royalty-free access to professional trip photography
• Brainstorming and planning support from Run the Alps 

We’d love to support you in helping create a more inclusive and accessible trail community — in whatever way feels meaningful and right for you.

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 and deluxe tours, pending availability. We commit to matching you with a tour that’s right for you.

How do I apply?

Applications for our 2026 Tour Grant Program are now open, and will remain open until March 4th. Please see the details on how to apply here.

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 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.

How many grants do you expect to offer this year?

This year, with the funding from On’s Right to Run Program, we aim to bring seven new grantees to the Alps.

Who reviews the applications? 

All applications are reviewed by our Tour Grant selection committee, which is made up of one representative from Run the Alps, one from On’s Right to Run team, and an 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.

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, please reach out to us at tourgrants@runthealps.com. We welcome your support!

What our grant recipients say: