The Mount Everest Foundation is the original – and still the most important – charity in the United Kingdom devoted to the support of mountain exploration and science.

Founded after the successful ascent of Everest in 1953 and financed from surplus funds and the royalties of John Hunt’s The Ascent of Everest’ and a nation-wide lecture tour by the expedition members, the Foundation was established to encourage ‘exploration of the mountain regions of the Earth’.

Since inception the MEF has dispensed some £923,000 in grants from the interest on investments of capital now amounting to about one million pounds. The majority go to small expeditions, but the Foundation has also supported expeditions to the Earth’s highest peaks, fine examples of which were first ascents of and new routes on Everest, Kangchenjunga, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Xixabangma, Nuptse, Kongur and the Ogre. In that time over 1,600 expeditions have been helped. Approval by the MEF, even without a grant, is often highly valued by an expedition seeking sponsorship.

Venues have ranged from Antarctica to Alaska, from South America to Greenland and right across the Himalaya and Karakoram. Outstanding examples have been new routes on Ama Dablam, Asgard, Changabang, the Central Tower of Paine, Spantik, Siguniang, Taulliraju, Taweche, Xuelian West and Vasuki Parbat. However, in recent years an increasing proportion of supported expeditions have failed to achieve their primary objectives, often because of bad weather or poor conditions on the mountain.

There have also been ventures devoted principally to scientific research. Notable among these were the RGS Mulu (Sarawak) Expedition, the RGS International Karakoram Project and high altitude physiological studies during the first ascent of Kongur (Xinjiang). In 1987 the Foundation initiated the publication of a Map and Gazetteer of the Mountains of Central Asia. On the basis of recommendations made by the Ghar Parau Foundation, each year the MEF also supports a number of caving expeditions taking place in high mountain areas.

An annual fund-raising lecture is now held in the RGS Ondaatje Theatre. In 2011 this will be on Big Wall Climbing, arranged by Doug Scott; in 2012 jointly with the Boardman-Tasker Award and in 2013 with the Himalayan Trust to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the First Ascent of Everest on 29th May.

The Foundation, which encourages the protection of mountains, their peoples, culture, fauna and flora, requires teams to follow strict environmental policies. It is administered by a Committee of Management and a Screening Committee nominated by the Alpine Club and the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers): all members are unpaid. Donations and bequests to further these aims will be gratefully acknowledged.

APPLYING FOR SUPPORT:

The MEF is a Registered Charity. Its aims are to encourage and support expeditions exploring mountain regions, and both education and research pertaining to a wide range of subjects in mountain areas, including geography, glaciology and the effects of altitude. Unless an expedition has research as its primary objective, it must have a strong exploratory element to be deemed eligible for support. Expeditions planning geographical exploration, first ascents of, or major new routes on high or remote mountains are likely to qualify. Applications from expeditions proposing to visit little-explored or formerly inaccessible areas are particularly encouraged, as are those pursuing worthwhile research. Normally, the MEF will only support expeditions where the majority of members come from Great Britain or New Zealand. Since 1991 the Foundation has also awarded the Alison Chadwick Memorial Grant to deserving female expeditions or individual climbers applying for MEF support.

For expeditions in 2012 and subsequent years, grant applications must be made electronically, ie the latest version of the Application for Grant form (Rev 05 dated June 2011, down-loadable from this website*) must be submitted as an attachment to an E-mail addressed to the MEF Hon Secretary. The form also provides the basis on which Approval from the British Mountaineering Council is awarded.

The main obligation of an expedition accepting support is to provide a Summary Report and an account of expenses within six weeks of completion. A Final Report is required as soon as possible afterwards. Failure to observe this important requirement is likely to result in a leader being refused future support. Copies of these reports are held (some on line) by the Alpine Club, the Royal Geographical Society and the British Mountaineering Council.

The Screening Committee meets to consider applications twice a year – in November and March. Closing dates for receipt of completed applications are 30th September and 31st January prior to the meetings. These dates are strictly observed, and expeditions are never considered in retrospect.

For all correspondence see: Contact Information (click here)

*For further detailed information, on support for expeditions including guidelines, grant application & referee forms (Click here)

Summaries of supported expeditions from the year 2000 onwards are available to view on this site (Click here to view past reports)