Neil Mackenzie Adventure Grant
We, his parents, want to keep Neil's memory alive in VOC by awarding a grant to a suitable applicant or applicants who can demonstrate a wish to seek adventure or training in physical outdoor activities, preferably in Scotland, and help them to achieve their objectives. The funding for an adventure will be divided - part funded by VOC fundraising, part by The Neil Mackenzie Trust, and part by the applicants themselves.- Margaret and Angus Mackenzie, November 2016
Contents
Neil Mackenzie Adventure Grant 2021
Funding
- Awards of up to $2,000 will be awarded to individuals or members of a party to pursue an outdoor adventure of their choice.
- Grants will cover up to 65% of the total project cost. You need to pitch in or secure secondary funding.
- In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to apply directly to The Neil Mackenzie Trust for help with the secondary funding.
Adventure
- Any self-propelled adventure, in the spirit of the VOC, will be considered.
- Preference for applications for adventure in Scotland. Other regions will also be considered.
- Applicants must demonstrate sufficient technical experience and background to safely complete their proposed adventure (i.e. AST / Glacier School).
- A report on completion must be written and submitted to the VOC Journal as well as a separate report on practicality/comments/suggestions on the grant.
- Grant Awardees are also expected to give a slide show in the fall.
Eligibility
- All VOC members are invited to apply: associate, student and honorary members.
- Individual or small groups may apply.
- For group applications: one application should be submitted for the adventure.
- Adventures should be executed in the upcoming year 03/2021 – 03/2022
- Involvement with the VOC community is considered favourably. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their volunteer history with the VOC, or their specific plans to give back to the VOC.
- Applicationsare due by 11:59 pm January 31st, 2021, by email to [email protected]
Special Awards
Other applications may be considered out of the main timescale, if money is available and the applicant is traveling to an academic course, conference or other activity. For example if you have a research conference in Edinburgh, you may with shorter notice apply for supporting funds to combine an outdoor trip alongside your conference.
The Neil Mackenzie Foundation (SCO46080) is registered as a charity in Scotland. Please visit their website to learn more about The Neil Mackenzie Trust and how they help adventurers meet their goals.
Past Awards
2016 Neil Mackenzie Adventure Grant Winners
- Artem Bylinskii - Climbing Adventures in Scotland - See Trip Report
- Also, see Artem's trip report on the completion of the 2016 Bothy Challenge
- Michael Cancilla and Lizzy Duguay - Bike touring through Western Scotland - See Trip Report
- Stuart Higgs and Spencer Rasmussen - Kayak-Accessed Traverse of the Skwawka River Headwaters - See Trip Report
2017 Neil Mackenzie Adventure Grant Winners
- Cora Skaien and Nicole Barrette - Canadian Lassies in the Land of Scots - See Trip Report
- Kelsey Miller and Carly Peterson - Exploring Scotland: The Highlands, Sea and Skye - See Trip Report.
2018 Neil Mackenzie Adventure Grant Winners
- Jess Landing and Ben Clark - Chandelier Bashing in the Highlands: A Historic Ice-Climbing Tour of Scotland - See Trip Report
2019 Neil Mackenzie Adventure Grant Winners
- Maureen Nadeau - Scotland Highland Trail 550 Bikepacking - See Trip Report
2020 Neil Mackenzie Adventure Grant Winners
- Else Bosman and Joe O'Brien - Self Propelled through the Coast Mountains
2021 Neil Mackenzie Adventure Grant Winners
- Nick Hindley, Duncan Pawson, and Harlin Brandvold - Return to Pangea (exploratory big wall climbing in BC's coast mountains) - (Postponed trip from 2020) - See Trip Report
