A new ERG ED® and Concept2 grant cycle is now open!

On June 5th, 2025, the George Pocock Foundation and Concept2 opened the ERG ED® grant application for all applicants in the United States. As part of their partnership, Concept2 and the GPRF seek to expand access to the sport of rowing for underrepresented students across the country. Concept2’s commitment of funds and equipment to this effort will allow ERG ED® to expand to six new locations between 2023 and 2025, with opportunities for two new programs to apply for funding this year.

The ERG ED®: Rowing in the Classroom curriculum is a nationally recognized and SHAPE-aligned Physical Education unit that offers easy implementation and integration for teachers, schools, and administrators. This classroom-based indoor rowing education program teaches students the fundamentals of rowing on Concept2 RowErg machines.

Originally launched in 2010 by the GPRF, the ERG ED® program now operates in 22 cities across the entire United States, with an estimated reach of 55,000 students annually. Through ERG ED®, students use rowing to learn essential life skills such as fitness, goal setting, and teamwork.

In 2023, the Cherokee County School District and Allatoona Rowing Association, alongside Evanston School District 65 and North Channel Community Rowing were selected as the two programs to win the C2/GPRF grant. In 2024, the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) and Bachman ROC, alongside Hackensack Public Schools and Hackensack Crew, were selected. Through the grant, new cities are granted equipment through C2, curriculum from the GPRF, and the support of all ERG ED® partners across the country. The GPRF also facilitates connections between new sites and mentor sites to share best practices and ideas for increasing access to their programs.

All four school districts and their partner rowing clubs (Woodstock, GA, Hackensack, NJ, Dallas, TX, and Evanston, IL) received 20 Concept2 RowErgs, the ERG ED® curriculum, and teacher training for their teachers.

“As the Co-Founders of BachmanROC Rowing Club in Dallas, Texas, we are humbled to receive one of two C2/GPRF ERG ED® Grants in partnership with the Dallas Independent School District and Dallas Parks & Recreation Department. We are excited to continue introducing the sport of rowing, along with its numerous health, fitness, social, and educational benefits, to the students in our district and the underrepresented communities surrounding Bachman Lake. We are honored that the Pocock Foundation and Concept2 have entrusted us with 20 Concept2 ergs and an incredible curriculum to carry out this program. We believe it will have an amazing impact on the participating students and potentially change the trajectory of their futures. We are grateful to be included in the nationwide community of ERG ED® educators, who genuinely love rowing and are dedicated to sharing it with as many youth as possible." shared Pat Hamner, Co-Founder & President and Flo Elkins Co-Founder & Head Coach of BachmanROC Rowing Club.

"Partnerships make our school district stronger, and we're excited to expand our middle school PE program thanks to the support of the Allatoona Rowing Association and this generous grant," Superintendent Brian Hightower of Cherokee County School District said in a statement. “The rowing lessons will offer our students another path to fitness and the chance to learn a competitive sport, and we look forward to seeing our students succeed through this new opportunity."

2025 applications are open now to school districts and boathouses in the United States. Applications close on June 30, 2025.

About the George Pocock Rowing Foundation

Since its inception in 1984, The George Pocock Foundation (GPRF) has been focused on supporting and growing the sport of rowing in the Seattle area and the greater Pacific Northwest.  As a leader in the sport, the GPRF works to help young people access and experience the life-changing sport of rowing, regardless of background or circumstance. 

About Concept2 

Founded in 1976 by rowers Peter and Dick Dreissigacker, Concept2 designs, manufactures, and sells oars for on-water rowing, as well as the RowErgs, the SkiErgs, and the BikeErgs for indoor training. Concept2 promotes and encourages the growth of rowing, both indoors and outdoors, and believes that rowing is a lifelong activity accessible to all.

Contact 

Padraic McGovern, George Pocock Rowing Foundation Deputy Director, padraic@pocockfoundation.org