Two bits of news for you grant fans:
1. 2019 Grant deadline
The deadline for the 2019 Next Challenge Grant has been extended. It was previously 31 December 2018 but is now 31 January 2019.
In previous years, the grant has taken place over two rounds: an initial application followed by detailed applications from a shortlist.
However, I realised that there weren’t actually that many more questions in the second application that were not already in the first. So, I have scrapped the second round.
This means I don’t get to publish a shortlist any more (which I loved doing) but it should also save me many hours of work (which I will love even more).
All of this means that I can get back to applicants more quickly than in previous years. So, even after extending the deadline by a month, I should be able to choose the winners earlier in the year.
2. Win £150’s worth of kit from Ghyllside Cycles
Ambleside-based cycle touring specialists, Ghyllside Cycles, have very generously offered £150’s worth of kit to one lucky winner.
The winner of the prize will be able to choose any equipment from Ghyllside’s stock and get it sent to them before their adventure.
As well as all of the cycling kit they have, Ghyllside also stock stuff from Lyon Equipment, importers for the likes of Exped, Petzl and Ortlieb. So there is plenty of general outdoors kit available too.
Other kit
In addition to Ghyllside’s £150, the following kit is up for grabs:
- Stanford Kibo Expedition bike (loan) – long-term grant supporter Simon Stanforth is offering the loan of a hand-built expedition bike
- Keen boots – long-term grant supporters Keen are again offering a pair of boots: Terradorra (women’s) or Targhee EXP (men’s).
- Desalinator / Expedition trailer (loan) – from past grant winner Sebastian Schweizer. Details here.
- Lots of kit from me – as ever, I am offering grant winners the option to loan some of my personal kit, including camping mats, bivvy bags and stoves.
The Next Challenge Grant helps people have adventures. It is aimed at those who have not done many adventures before and “don’t normally do that sort of thing”.
The grant is entirely funded by donations: from me, from other “adventurers” and from members of the public.
What do you think? Please do add your thoughts below…