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Women in Sport Funding

One of the objectives of Mountaineering Ireland's Women in Sport programme is to increase the number of and visibility of female leaders, instructors and providers. Women currently make up 20% of all providers. Mountaineering Ireland recognises that cost can be a barrier to women hoping to pursue leadership awards, and in response to this we are accepting applications for funding support under our Women in Sport training programme. 

Funding support will be available for the following awards, as well as the Train the Trainers course:

  • Rock Climbing Instructor (assessment only)
  • Mountain Leader
  • Multi-Pitch Award
  • Rock Climbing Development Instructor
  • Winter Mountain Leader
  • International Mountain Leader
  • Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor
  • Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor
In general, financial support will not be granted for training outside of the formal award schemes.

The following criteria will be accounted for by the review panel:

  • Applicants must be members of Mountaineering Ireland.
  • Preference will be given to youth members (under 26).
  • Priority will be given to those who have not previously received funding support.

This is a competitive process. Your answer to the question 'Outline how funding support would help you on your training journey', in addition to the above criteria, will inform the decision of the review panel. All decisions are final. However in the event your application is unsuccessful, we will provide constructive feedback.

Grant approval:
Applications are accepted at any time and are reviewed on three occasions throughout the year by a review panel made of up of two Mountaineering Ireland staff members and one external advisor. The upcoming deadline for applications is April 6th 2025.  

Timing:
Training can be carried out either before or after you receive grant approval, however payment will not be made until after training is completed. We ask that all training should be completed and receipts received within 6 months of grant approval being given so that funds are not tied up for an unduly long period of time.

You can download the application form here. Forms should be returned to [email protected] or by post to Mountaineering Ireland, Irish Sport HQ, National Sports Campus, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, D15 DY62.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Training Officer Jane Carney at [email protected] or 087 4122 278.