Scholarships & Grants
A3 scholarships are reserved for A3 members.
[Not a member? Apply here]
Supporting Avalanche Education & Research
A3 believes financial barriers shouldn't prevent qualified individuals from advancing their avalanche safety knowledge or pursuing professional training. Our grants and scholarships support both cutting-edge research and individual career development, helping build a stronger, more diverse professional avalanche community.
These scholarships not only support individual career development but also help build the qualified workforce that avalanche employers need. By investing in professional training, we strengthen the entire avalanche industry.
Scholarships for Professional Training
Making A3 professional courses more accessible for members
Our scholarship program advances our mission to develop expertise within the avalanche industry. By supporting A3-certified professional training, we ensure scholarship recipients receive industry-recognized education that opens career doors. Partnering with industry leaders and donors, we are proud to help make professional avalanche training more accessible for A3 members.
The following scholarships are offered for the 2024-2025 season. All scholarship applications opened November 18, 2024.
Rob Coppolillo Memorial Scholarship
Rob Coppolillo was an accomplished IFMGA mountain guide, humorous writer and author, engaging avalanche course instructor, unforgettable storyteller, and dedicated mentor in the mountains. The Rob C. Memorial Scholarship seeks to honor his legacy and keep his memory alive by uplifting the next generation of aspiring mountain guides and avalanche educators.
Launched in fall 2024, this scholarship will be awarded annually to an A3 Professional or Affiliate Member who demonstrates a commitment to a career in guiding and/or avalanche education.
Award: $3,000 (course + travel)
Applicable Use: Pro 1 or Pro 2 Course
Supported by: Anonymous Donor
Deadline: December 16, 2024
[Apply]
Aspiring Professional Scholarships
A3's Aspiring Professional Scholarships are intended to support members who are in the early stages of their careers, but who are dedicated to building livelihoods within the avalanche industry. Two scholarships will be awarded annually, and one will be reserved for female-identifying avalanche workers.
Award 1: $2,000
Award 2 - Women's Specific: $2,000
Applicable Use: Pro 1 or Pro 2 Courses
Supported by: Anonymous Donors
Deadline: December 16, 2024
[Apply]
Avalanche Infrastructure Management Pro 2 Scholarship
The American Avalanche Association and Avalanche Infrastructure Management are pleased to create a scholarship opportunity for individuals taking their Pro 2 Course. This scholarship is reserved for A3 members with 5+ years of industry experience and preference is given to those in ski patrol/mitigation roles.
Award: $1,500-$2,000
Applicable Use: Pro 2 Courses
Supported by: Avalanche Infrastructure Management
Deadline: December 16, 2024
[Apply]
David Pettigrew Memorial Scholarship
The American Avalanche Association is pleased to offer the David Pettigrew Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is intended to support A3 members from the Pacific Northwest (Oregon or Washington) who are taking their Professional Level 1 or Professional Level 2 Avalanche Course. This annual scholarship is given each winter in memory of David Pettigrew who grew up on Mercer Island, WA.
Award: $2,000
Applicable Use: Pro 1 or Pro 2 Courses
Supported by: David Pettigrew Memorial Foundation
Deadline: December 13, 2024
[Apply]
Mountain Queers Pro-Training Scholarship
Mountain Queers is dedicated to providing stories, resources, and community made by and for queer people in the outdoors. They are excited to partner with the Utah Avalanche Center and the American Avalanche Association to provide an LGBTQIA+ Pro-Training Scholarship for winter 2024-2025.
Award: $1,500
Applicable Use: Pro 1 or Pro 2 Courses
Supported by: Mountain Queers, Utah Avalanche Center
Deadline: December 13, 2024
[Apply]
A3 Board of Directors' Pro-Training Scholarships
The American Avalanche Association Board of Directors is pleased to offer two Professional Training Scholarships for the 2024/2025 winter season. One scholarship will be awarded to a student completing their Professional Level 1 Course and one scholarship will be awarded to a student completing their Professional Level 2 course.
Pro 1 Award: $1,500
Pro 2 Award: $1,500
Supported by: A3 Board of Directors
Deadline: December 13, 2024
[Apply]
Backcountry Access Women's Specific Scholarships
Backcountry Access and the American Avalanche Association are proud to support female-identifying avalanche workers. This season, three (3) $1,500 scholarships will be offered to women taking their Professional Level 1 or Professional Level 2 Avalanche Courses. These scholarships are offered exclusively to female-identifying A3 Professional and Affiliate Members in the hopes of continuing to support the professional development of female avalanche workers.
Award 1: $1,500
Award 2: $1,500
Award 3: $1,500
Applicable Use: Pro 1 or Pro 2 Courses
Supported by: Backcountry Access
Deadline: December 16, 2024
[Apply]
Grants for Research & Education
Advancing avalanche science and community education
A3 furthers its mission by annually funding grants on snow and avalanche research. These programs help share accurate information on snow and avalanches, facilitate technical transfer between research scientists and field practitioners, and promote research into topics that increase knowledge on snow and avalanche phenomena.
Research Grants
A3 awards Research Grants to members conducting research on snow and avalanches. Both graduate students and field practitioners are encouraged to apply. Preference is given to proposals whose results will both benefit avalanche field practitioners and will extend our understanding of snow and avalanche phenomena. Proposals should embody the theme of the International Snow Science Workshop (ISSW): "A merging of theory and practice." Applications are reviewed in November each year.
A3 has allocated $10,000 for research grants to be awarded in the 2024-2025 season.
Applications for 2024-2025 Research Grants are due by November 18, 2024
Contact: research@avalanche.org for additional information
[Grant Announcement] | [Grant Application]
Regional Education Grants
A3 awards grants to support regional avalanche education and professional development events. The A3 Governing Board awards grants once a year to those events that best advance A3's mission and goals. Grant amounts vary, depending on funding available. Please note that awards may not equal the amount requested, and the board may choose not to fund all requests.
Application deadline: June 13, 2025
Funding period: Events offered during the 2025/2026 season
Award decisions: By August 1, 2025
Contact: a3@avalanche.org with additional questions
[Application Details]
Questions about scholarships or grants? Contact us at the emails listed above or reach out through our general contact form.