Who is a Mountain Worker?

A mountain worker is a person whose employment is dedicated to developing or expanding access to mountainous environments. Mountain workers utilize their experience and skill set to make the mountains a safer and more accessible place for all.

Mountain workers can come from many different backgrounds and professions. They may work in outdoor recreation, mountain operations, guiding, education, emergency services, conservation, trail work, search and rescue, transportation, or other fields connected to mountainous environments and mountain communities.

What can the scholarship support?

Who Can Apply?

• Currently working in a mountain-related profession

• Pursuing training or education to start mountain work

• Looking to expand their skills or responsibilities within their current mountain profession

• Seeking financial assistance to access professional development that would otherwise be difficult to afford

We at Friends of United Mountain Workers recognize that there are many different ways to work in and contribute to mountain communities. Applicants do not need to fit a particular job title or career path to be considered. 

Tell us what you want to do

Rather than confining applicants to a predetermined list of courses, we want to understand what you are trying to accomplish and how this scholarship would help you get there.

Applicants should be prepared to tell us:

1. What do you do, or hope to do as a mountain worker?

2. What training, education, or opportunity are you pursuing?

3. How would this training help you in your career?

4. How would receiving this scholarship make the opportunity more accessible to you?

Scholarship Philosophy

We believe that investing in mountain workers is an investment in the mountain communities and environments they serve.

Mountain communities are often places where the cost of living can be high while wages and access to affordable housing, education, and professional development can be difficult to navigate. At the same time, many of the skills and certifications that help people build careers in mountain work require significant financial investment.

Our goal is to help reduce some of the financial barriers faced by current and aspiring mountain workers and support people who are committed to building a future in mountain work. 

If there is an opportunity that will help you become a better mountain worker and build a future in mountain work, we want to hear about it.