Blind Travel Foundation Travel Grant

The Blind Travel Foundation is a mission-driven private organization dedicated to uplifting and empowering individuals within the blind and visually impaired community through transformative travel experiences. With a core belief in creativity, innovation, and independence, the foundation seeks to support individuals or teams in designing and executing travel projects that demonstrate leadership and positive community impact. By facilitating meaningful travel initiatives, the Foundation aims to expand personal horizons while also fostering broader awareness and inclusion for those who are blind or visually impaired. The 2026 Blind Travel Foundation Travel Grant offers up to three awards of $10,000 each to support eligible travel projects. These grants are intended for individuals or teams where at least one member is legally blind and at least one team member is 18 years or older at the time of travel. While the Foundation is based in the United States, the application is open to candidates worldwide. The project must fall within the travel window of April 15 to December 1, 2026. The Foundation is inclusive in its approach, welcoming applicants with varying communication needs, including spoken English, ASL, and other accessible communication formats. The application process is structured into multiple rounds to assess clarity, impact, and feasibility of the proposed travel initiatives. First-round applications are due by February 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Semi-finalist invitations will be issued by February 9, followed by 30-minute interviews scheduled between February 10 and 21. Those selected for the next stage must submit additional materials by February 23. Finalist interviews will take place from March 10 to 20, with award announcements anticipated in late March or early April. To support applicants, the Foundation offers several resources, including Zoom Q&A sessions scheduled for January 16 and January 20. In addition, prospective applicants are encouraged to review the Foundation’s “Top 5 Application Tips” and familiarize themselves with past grantees’ projects for inspiration. Applications must be submitted via a dedicated Google Form link provided in the official announcement. The application form is designed to be straightforward, taking approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete. Applicants are not expected to submit lengthy narratives but instead are encouraged to present a clear and compelling vision for their travel project. Successful applications will reflect both the uniqueness of the proposed initiative and its anticipated contribution to the blind and visually impaired community. For additional information or specific inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact Mike Walsh, the Foundation’s Executive Director, via email at [email protected]. The Blind Travel Foundation emphasizes transparency, accessibility, and community engagement throughout the grant cycle and looks forward to reviewing inspiring proposals from individuals across the globe.