The Mount Everest Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £94,800 (2024-25)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: 2-4 months (decisions made in March and November)
• Grant Range: £1,500 - £6,000 (can be higher for exceptional expeditions)
• Geographic Focus: Mountain regions worldwide
• Application Deadlines: 31 January and 30 September

Contact Details

• Website: mef.org.uk
• Email: coatsworthra@gmail.com
• Phone: 01625574809
• Address: 76 Ingersley Vale, Bollington, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK10 5BP

Overview

Founded on 3 February 1955 by Sir John Hunt following the historic 1953 Mount Everest ascent by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay, The Mount Everest Foundation encourages and supports expeditions for exploration and research in mountain regions worldwide. With over £1.5 million distributed across more than 1,700 expeditions since its establishment, the MEF remains committed to supporting exploratory mountaineering and scientific research in remote and challenging environments. The foundation is jointly administered by the Alpine Club and the Royal Geographical Society. Recent strategic developments include opening grants to Nepali expeditions from 2024 and tightening criteria to focus on smaller parties operating in new or little-visited areas due to increased demand.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Standard MEF Grants: £1,500 - £6,000 per expedition (rolling application with two annual deadlines)

• Online application via downloadable form
• Fixed deadlines: 31 January and 30 September
• Grants may be increased for highly ambitious expeditions to remote areas

The Alison Chadwick Memorial Grant: Amount not disclosed (supplemental award)

• Supports British and Polish women's mountaineering
• Can be awarded to expeditions with mainly female climbers or individuals in mixed expeditions
• No separate application required - considered automatically

The Nick Estcourt Award: Variable (historically £600-£2,500+ supplemental to main grant)

• For exceptional mountaineering objectives with potential to further expedition climbing standards
• Annual award given in addition to normal MEF grant
• No additional application required - considered automatically

The Roger Chorley Memorial Grant: Amount not disclosed (supplemental award)

• For young climbers or first expeditions to greater ranges
• Particularly encourages university clubs
• No separate application required

Priority Areas

Mountaineering Expeditions:

• Geographical exploration of mountain regions
• First ascents of previously unclimbed peaks
• Major new routes on high or remote mountains
• Light-style expeditions to little-explored or formerly inaccessible areas
• Preference for smaller parties operating in new or rarely-visited regions

Scientific Research Expeditions:

• Post-Graduate and Early Career Researchers (less than 10 years post-PhD)
• Postgraduate students without formal funding
• Research in little-studied or rarely-visited mountain regions
• Projects collecting unique data not easily obtainable otherwise
• Disciplines include: biology, ethnology, geography, geology, glaciology, and high-altitude physiology

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the MEF's tightened criteria mean they are less likely to fund:

• Expeditions to well-trodden peaks or popular routes
• Large commercial-style expeditions
• Projects without clear exploratory or knowledge-acquisition objectives
• Teams without majority UK, New Zealand, or Nepali membership

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees

The foundation is governed by a board of nine trustees:

• Rebecca Stephens MBE (Chair) - First British woman to summit Everest, actively organizes MEF initiatives including 'Women at Altitude' events
• Dr Tom Kenneth Roger Matthews
• Adele Long
• Malcolm Neal Bass
• John da Silva
• Professor Jemma Wadham
• Dr Grace Hurford
• Dr Poshendra Satyal
• Richard Coatsworth (Honorary Secretary)

The foundation also benefits from 17 active volunteers and operates as a charitable company (Company No. 00543894, Charity No. 208206).

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

1. Read Guidelines: Download and thoroughly review the current Application Guidelines and Environmental Guidelines from mef.org.uk
2. Download Application Form: Obtain the Word format application form from the website
3. Complete Application: Fill in the form on your computer, giving your expedition a unique name
4. Submit to Secretary: Email completed form to MEF Honorary Secretary by the relevant deadline
5. Provide to Referees: Send copies to each referee named in Section 8 of the application
6. Referee Submission: Referees should download the Referee Proforma and submit directly to MEF Secretary

Strict Deadlines:

• 31 January: For expeditions taking place after mid-April of the current year
• 30 September: For expeditions taking place after 1 December of the same year through the end of the following year

These deadlines are strictly observed with no exceptions.

Decision Timeline

• Review Process: Independent Screening Committee reviews all applications and seeks expert advice where necessary
• Committee Meetings: Screening Committee meets twice annually in March and November
• Final Decision: Recommendations passed to Management Committee of Trustees for final consideration
• Notification: Specific notification timelines not publicly disclosed, but decisions made approximately 2-4 months after submission deadlines

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, in 2023, the MEF awarded grants to 20 expeditions totaling over $89,000 (approximately £70,000). The foundation has tightened criteria in recent years, with preference for smaller parties and truly exploratory objectives.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Applicants should consult the Application Guidelines or contact the Honorary Secretary directly for clarification.

Application Success Factors

Focus on Genuine Exploration: The MEF's core mission centers on “exploration - the acquisition of new knowledge.” Successful applications demonstrate how the expedition will reach previously unclimbed peaks, explore little-visited regions, or gather genuinely new scientific data.

Recent MEF-Funded Successes Include:

• Tom Livingstone and Aleš Česen's first ascent of the west ridge of Gasherbrum III (7,952m)
• Vinayak Jaya Malla, Pasang Rinzee Sherpa, and Pasang Kami Sherpa's first ascent of Patrasi Southwest
• Mick Fowler and Victor Saunders' first ascent of Yawash Sar (6,258m) in the Pakistani Karakoram
• Paul Ramsden and Tim Miller's Phantom Line route on Jugal Spire (Piolet d'Or winner)

Key Success Factors:

• Remote and Little-Visited: Expeditions to “little-explored or formerly inaccessible areas” are particularly encouraged. The MEF has explicitly tightened its definition of “exploratory” to prioritize new territory.

• Light-Style Approach: Smaller parties operating in light style are preferred over large commercial-style expeditions.

• Clear Knowledge Objectives: Whether mountaineering or scientific, applications must articulate what new knowledge will be gained - geographic, scientific, or mountaineering advancement.

• Environmental Responsibility: All applicants must demonstrate adherence to Environmental Guidelines, showing commitment to minimizing impact.

• Strong References: The referee system is integral to the process - choose referees who can speak credibly to your expedition's exploratory merit and team capability.

• For Scientific Expeditions: ECRs and postgraduate students receive preference, particularly for research in rarely-visited regions collecting unique data not obtainable elsewhere.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Emphasize the “first” or “new”: MEF prioritizes genuine exploration - first ascents, new routes, unexplored regions, or novel scientific data collection
• Apply early and meet deadlines: Deadlines of 31 January and 30 September are strictly enforced with no exceptions
• Smaller is better: Recent strategic shifts favor smaller, lighter expeditions over large teams
• Automatic supplemental awards: No separate applications needed for Alison Chadwick, Nick Estcourt, or Roger Chorley awards - eligibility is assessed automatically
• Eligibility expanded: As of 2024, Nepali expeditions can now apply, joining British and New Zealand applicants
• Scientific work welcomed: The MEF actively supports scientific research expeditions, not just mountaineering - this is often overlooked by applicants
• Read the guidelines meticulously: The application process emphasizes careful adherence to both Application and Environmental Guidelines

References

1. Mount Everest Foundation Official Website - About The Foundation. https://www.mef.org.uk/about
2. Mount Everest Foundation - Expedition Grant Applications. https://www.mef.org.uk/applying-for-support
3. Mount Everest Foundation - Who We Fund. https://www.mef.org.uk/information/who-we-fund
4. The Charity Commission - The Mount Everest Foundation (Charity No. 208206). https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/208206
5. Royal Geographical Society - Mount Everest Foundation Grant Information. https://www.rgs.org/exploration/support/grant-giving-organisations/mef-grant
6. Mount Everest Foundation - The Nick Estcourt Award. https://www.mef.org.uk/information/the-nick-estcourt-award
7. Mount Everest Foundation - The Alison Chadwick Memorial Grant. https://www.mef.org.uk/information/the-alison-chadwick-memorial-grant
8. ExplowersWeb - Mount Everest Foundation Opens Grant Program To Nepalis. https://explorersweb.com/mount-everest-foundation-opens-grant-program-to-nepalis/
9. Mountain Research Initiative - Mount Everest Foundation Funding 2025. https://mountainresearchinitiative.org/funding-opportunities/mount-everest-foundation-funding-2025/
10. The Ghar Parau Foundation - MEF Tightens Criteria for Expedition Support. https://gharparau.org.uk/mount-everest-foundation-mef-tightens-its-criteria-for-expedition-support/