Black Diamond Equipment and NOLS Expand Elevate Scholarship for 2026

Black Diamond Equipment and the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), the world’s foremost provider of wilderness education, announce the second year of their partnership. United by a shared belief that the wilderness is the best teacher, Black Diamond and NOLS have joined forces to invest in the future of the outdoor community by expanding access to education, mentorship, and leadership development for students, regardless of financial means.

Central to the partnership is the Black Diamond Elevate Scholarship, which expands in 2026 to support semester-length NOLS courses that allow students to learn and grow across a variety of technical skill types. These immersive programs emphasize wilderness education, leadership, and stewardship while building personal development, decision-making, and collaboration over an extended period of time through technical outdoor skills. Eligible course offerings for 2026 are:

• Summer Semester in Alaska (May 17-July 30, 2026) – 75 days of sea kayaking, mountaineering, and backpacking.

• Summer Semester in the Rockies (June 12-August 18, 2026) – 68 days of rock climbing, backpacking, and whitewater paddling.

“At Black Diamond, we believe that meaningful time in the mountains builds not only technical skills, but also confidence, character, judgment, and a lifelong connection to the outdoors,” said Neil Fiske, President of Black Diamond Equipment. “Working with NOLS to continue offering the Elevate Scholarship for another year allows us to support more students who may not otherwise be able to afford extended wilderness education. These truly transformative experiences help shape the future of the outdoor community by identifying, educating, and uplifting the next generation of leaders.”

Black Diamond has served NOLS as one of the organization’s key equipment providers for decades, supplying field-tested gear that students and instructors alike can rely on in demanding environments worldwide. The relationship stems back even further: Peter Metcalf, Black Diamond’s founder, credits NOLS with introducing him to climbing in 1971 when he became a NOLS graduate. Black Diamond athletes, Adrian Ballinger and Carlo Traversi, also began their outdoor careers participating in NOLS semester courses.

“The Black Diamond Elevate Scholarship reflects what’s possible when two mission-driven organizations come together with a shared vision,” said Sandy Colhoun, President of NOLS. “NOLS semester courses offer unparalleled depth of learning that allows students to step into leadership roles, develop sound judgment, and build lasting relationships with each other and the environments they travel through. We recognize that access to the outdoors is not a privilege everyone shares and so, we’re grateful for Black Diamond’s continued partnership in helping remove financial barriers and making these experiences more accessible.”

The 2026 Black Diamond Elevate Scholarship application period opens Tuesday, February 17, 2026, and closes Friday, March 13, 2026. The full-ride scholarship, which covers tuition, travel, and required gear for select Summer 2026 courses, is awarded based on demonstrated financial need. Applicants must be 17 or older and complete a financial aid form, with qualifying candidates invited to submit a follow-up questionnaire. For more information on the scholarship and application process, please visit:

https://www.nols.edu/about/resources/financial-aid/black-diamond-elevate-scholarship/