Deadline Extended: Apply for MLA Awards, Grants, and Scholarships by December 2!

Great news! The deadline for submitting applications for MLA Awards, Grants, and Scholarships has been extended to December 2, 2025. This extension gives you extra time to apply for opportunities that recognize excellence and support professional development in health sciences librarianship.

Each year, MLA offers more than 50 opportunities and over $95,000 in funding for education, research, and professional growth. Whether you’re advancing your education, seeking professional development, or planning research, there’s an opportunity for you.

Don’t miss this chance to recognize contributions to the profession and invest in your future. Submit your application by December 2!

Browse the full list of opportunities below and find the one that’s right for you!

Grants and Scholarships

Advanced Education Scholarships – For students pursuing graduate degrees in library science in ALA-accredited library schools.

• Gwendolyn S. Cruzat MLA Scholarship
• Beverly Murphy MLA Scholarship for Underrepresented Students
• Ana D. Cleveland MLA Scholarship

Professional Development Grants

• Naomi C. Broering Latinx Heritage Grant – Supports projects benefiting the Latinx community.
• Collection Development Grant – For education in collection development and information management.
• Continuing Education Grant – Enhances theoretical, administrative, or technical knowledge.
• Mary K. Haver Consumer Health Grant – For consumer health librarians seeking training or conference attendance.
• Hospital Libraries Professional Development Grant – Supports clinical librarians pursuing education or research.
• Medical Informatics Career Development Grant – For career development in medical informatics.
• Harriet L. Steuernagel Continuing Education Grant – For dental and library professionals seeking continuing education.

Research-Related Opportunities

• David A. Kronick and Charles W. Sargent Visiting Fellowship – Funds visits to study health sciences librarianship.

Awards and Honors

New to the Profession Awards

• Rising Star Program – A one-year leadership development program with a project-based curriculum.
• Rittenhouse Award – Recognizes the best unpublished paper on medical librarianship.

Mid-Career Professional Awards

• Louise Darling Award for Distinguished Achievement in Collection Development in the Health Sciences – Recognizing distinguished achievement in health sciences collection development.
• Lucretia W. McClure Excellence in Education Award – Recognizing exceptional skills in teaching, curriculum development, mentoring, research, or educational leadership.
• Carla J. Funk Governmental Relations Award – Recognizing exceptional leadership in governmental relations at any level, furthering the goal of providing quality health information.
• Consumer Health Librarian of the Year Award – Recognizing consumer health librarians who excel in providing health information services.
• Estelle Brodman Award for the Academic Health Sciences Librarian of the Year – Recognizing mid-career excellence, leadership potential, and significant achievements in academic health sciences information.
• Lois Ann Colaianni Award for Excellence and Achievement – Recognizing outstanding leadership, distinction, or service within hospital settings.
• Virginia L. and William K. Beatty Volunteer Service Award – Recognizing exemplary commitment and enduring service to MLA and the health sciences information profession.
• Daniel T. Richards Prize – Awarded for published works related to collection development in the health sciences.
• Erich Meyerhoff Prize – Awarded for the best unpublished scholarly paper on the history of the health sciences that stimulates interest in the field.
• Ida and George Eliot Prize – Awarded for the most effective published work from the preceding year that advances medical librarianship.

Proven Leaders Awards

• Marcia C. Noyes Award – MLA’s highest professional distinction for a career of lasting contributions.
• Fellowship and Honorary Membership – Fellowship honors MLA members; Honorary Membership honors nonmembers for sustained contributions.
• Janet Doe Lectureship – Presented to individuals offering unique perspectives on the history or philosophy of medical librarianship.

Organizational Award

• Research Advancement in Health Sciences Librarianship Award – Recognizing organizations whose exemplary efforts have advanced health information research and evidence-based practice in health sciences libraries.

Chapter and Caucus Awards

• MLA Caucus Project of the Year Award – Recognizing creativity, cooperation, and leadership through special projects that go beyond regular caucus programming.
• MLA Chapter Project of the Year Award – Recognizing excellence, innovation, and contributions to health sciences librarianship through special projects that go beyond regular chapter programming.