The Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) administers the SportScotland (formerly the Scottish Sports Council) grant for Scottish expeditions. Applications for this award can be made direct to the MCofS using the application form (available from the National Officer). Expeditions who are applying for a Mount Everest Foundation Award will also be considered for an MCofS grant if they complete the appropriate section of the MEF application form. These should be requested from the MEF secretary at the address below on sending details of the proposed objective. The BMC administers the UK Sports Council grants for expeditions and application for these should also be done via the MEF.

It must be stressed that an expedition cannot apply or obtain both an MCofS and BMC grant. The expedition members must decide whether they are a Scottish or a British expedition. The MCofS will make an assessment as to the 'Scottish' nature of an expedition team on the basis of place of birth, resident addresses and/or whether the team members have a strong connection with the Scottish mountains and Scottish mountaineering. There are a number of other bodies awarding grants to expeditions and details of these are contained in the enclosed package. It should be noted that each body (including the MEF, MCofS and BMC) has slightly differing award criteria. The MCofS does not expect to provide more than a minor part of an expeditions finances. Organisers of all expeditions applying for a grant should therefore bear in mind the limited resources and should be able to show that a large proportion of the estimated budget will be raised elsewhere, and that personal contributions are of an adequate size.

Expedition grant award 1992. Dave Saddler at camp 2 (c.5400m) on the SE ridge of Nillcouth (6590m) with the fourth pinnacle behind. photo: G E Little.

The MCofS cannot provide assistance for expeditions which run into financial difficulty. Expeditions should therefore consider alternative support in the case of an emergency, since financial insolvency could damage the reputation of Scottish mountaineering and harm future expeditions.

It is also important that the expedition knows the current regulations of the country it proposes to visit (e.g. payment of peak fees, obtainment of climbing permits, deposit of customs bonds, insurance and equipping of porters etc., and employment of liaison officers). Expeditions should realise that it is a condition of making a grant that any such political requirements shall be satisfied.

Application forms should be completed and sent to the MCofS at the address below. Copies of the application form can be downloaded here. They are in PDF format and can be printed and completed. They can also be supplied on 3.25 inch disc on Word for Windows if this would be easier for completion. Please contact the National Officer for further information.