We are looking for determined individuals based in New Zealand with an achievable outdoor goal and the motivation to achieve greater mobility and social connection through a healthy lifestyle and exercise outdoors.

Choose an activity that genuinely excites and motivates you. We like to fund hiking, cycling, climbing and kayaking missions that challenge an applicant (requiring them to train), but not so difficult that they are unattainable. We don’t look for hardcore; we look for achievable.

When we consider an application, we prefer applications that strengthen the connection to community, for the benefit of both the individual applicant and their community or family. If possible, consider activities that make it easy to include others.

Please note that your adventure must be self-directed. This means that we don’t fund guided trips, nor do we pay for the cost of participating in a tour group. Please get in contact with us if you need help choosing an activity.

Our primary aim is to fund rehabilitation costs. This might include the cost of neurophysio consultations, personal or specialist trainers, and gym memberships. The majority of our funding goes toward these costs.

Depending on our available funds, we may also make a minor contribution to gear and equipment costs. Examples of gear and equipment toward which we might contribute include: a backpack, tent, boots, walking poles, rain jacket, mountain bike, kayak, technical climbing equipment, first-aid kit, PLB, PFD, etc. Occasionally, we will also make small contributions toward relevant training courses.

To qualify for the Expedition Programme, your goal must a) be a multi-day adventure with b) at least one other person who must join you for the duration of the trip. We define "multi-day" as at least two days or one night.

Trips qualifying for the Expedition Programme will receive up to $200 of additional funding per day for up to five days, depending on the number of people and the costs involved. The funds you receive can be used for food, access and accommodation costs that happen during your adventure (not those that occur before or after the expedition). Access costs could include the price of a shuttle service, water taxi, helicopter, etc., needed to access the start of your adventure. Accommodation costs could include the cost of staying at huts, campsites, backpackers, etc.. We may only be able to contribute to these costs.

Additionally, we may choose to contribute funds toward group gear. This could include camping, cooking, first aid, safety gear and more.

Alongside your grant, you will receive free access to our mentoring service, valued at $3,100.

This includes:

• Monthly calls with your mentor and regular email support. These sessions will take you through a process that helps you clarify your motivation, values and strengths, and will then build on those as you take concrete steps toward achieving your goal outdoors. This is an opportunity for our mentors to walk alongside and support you, and to connect you to additional rehabilitation services (eg. neuro-physio, specialist trainers, etc), if needed.

• 3x Work on Wellbeing debriefs with Nick Allen, using the research-backed Work on Wellbeing tool. Before each debrief, you will complete an evidence-based wellbeing assessment and receive a comprehensive report.

• Complementary copy of Nick Allen’s book, To The Summit.

• Bi-monthly group Zoom calls with other adventurers in the Mastering Mountains community.

• Bi-monthly educational group Zoom calls, where we get an expert to present on relevant topics.

• Access to a growing resource library.

• Custom gear advice and access to quality, lightweight gear at discounted prices.

Yes, getting accepted to one of the Mastering Mountains programmes carries an obligation to fundraise. As a charitable trust, we rely on donations to exist.

When you apply for a place in one of our programmes, we ask you to choose a fundraising target and to do your best to raise those funds. Generally, we like to see fundraising targets of $1,500 or more. Please be assured that we will support you in your fundraising efforts as much as possible.

Your fundraising goal will help ensure that we can support programme recipients into the future.

Here are the documents that you will need before submitting your application:

Letter from your Primary Health Professional (e.g. your GP, Neurologist, Neurology Nurse, Physiotherapist, Neurophysiologist, or Occupational Therapist) confirming: a) your diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis or Functional Neurological Disorder; and b) your current health status and ability to pursue your outdoor objective. This should include reference to your current level of mobility, pain, fatigue and general health status.

Supporting letter(or email) from a referee that states the following: a) their relationship to you; b) why they think you should get accepted to a programme; c) and how the programme would benefit you and your community. Your referee is welcome to submit their letter by emailing nick@masteringmountains.org.nz.

Quote specifying the rehabilitation costs you are applying for.

We receive applications annually between the 1st of April and the 31st of May.

The application may take a couple of hours to complete. You can save your online application at any point and continue it later. However, we recommend downloading this document first, as it contains the questions we will ask in this application form. You may wish to complete your answers offline before pasting them into this online application. You can apply or find more information about the application process here.

After receiving all the applications and any additional information, our Trustees meet to assess the applications and award funding. You should hear back from us by early July.