Morgan Hill, CA – March 2, 2026 – Outride, a national nonprofit advancing the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling, announced today that applications are now open for its 2026 grant cycle.
This year, there are three grant opportunities that support schools, community organizations, and researchers working to improve brain health and expand access to cycling's benefits for youth and older adults. With evidence linking cycling to increased focus, reduced stress, and improved brain health, these three grant opportunities work together to ensure that more youth and older adults can access cycling programs and experience the benefits.
The Riding for Focus, Community Impact Grant and newly launched Research Partnership Grants make up Outride's annual portfolio of funding opportunities, which have collectively supported hundreds of communities across the United States and Canada.
Three Grants Now Accepting Applications:
Outride's turnkey middle‑school cycling education grant program provides schools with bikes, helmets, curriculum, professional development, and ongoing staff support. The program integrates cycling into the school day to support student wellbeing, focus, and physical activity.
Applications are open on a rolling basis until April 17, 2026.
A flexible grant supporting a wide range of cycling initiatives, including rider education programs, youth development teams, community cycling clubs, skills camps, and more. Priority is given to non-profit organizations with programs serving youth and older adults. Awards range from $5,000–$15,000 in unrestricted funds.
Applications are open March 2, 2026 – April 30, 2026
New in 2026, this grant supports collaborations between researchers and community organizations or schools to expand evidence around cycling's impact on wellbeing and brain health. Priority will be given to projects focused on youth or older adults and those using inclusive, culturally responsive research methods.
Awards range from $5,000–$15,000, supporting staff time, research assistants, measurement tools, and more.
Applications are open March 2, 2026 – April 30, 2026
Leadership Quotes
Esther Walker, Executive Director, Outride
"By supporting schools, community organizations, and research together, these grants help support an ecosystem where people can experience the benefits of cycling, and where we can learn how to make those benefits even stronger. It's an investment in both people and knowledge, helping communities build programs that improve brain health and wellbeing while shaping the future of cycling for years to come."
Lauren Schuck, Research & Evaluation Manager, Outride
"Across Outride's network, countless organizations and educators are running biking programs that transform participants' lives. This grant aims to capture this impact by catalyzing the partnerships between researchers and practitioners to advance and amplify the evidence of biking's impact on brain health and well-being."
Chazz Robinson, Program Director, Outride
"Cycling has the power to change lives, and we see that every day through Riding for Focus and our Community Impact Grants. When someone discovers confidence on a bike, or when a community builds a space where people can ride together, something transformative happens. These grants help spark that transformation by opening doors, expanding access, and giving more people the chance to experience the joy, freedom, and connection that riding can bring."
About Outride
Founded in 2014, Outride works to empower all people to experience the social, emotional, and cognitive benefits of cycling. Outride has distributed over $10 million in funding, bikes, equipment, and programs to schools and nonprofits. In collaboration with universities and other institutions, Outride advances and supports research to better understand how cycling supports brain health across the lifespan.
