Scholarship Opportunities

The RTI offers scholarships to support participants’ attendance at the 2020 RTI. For 2020, we express sincere appreciation for MLA’s support of funds from the Lucretia W. McClure Excellence in Education Award Endowment Fund. This award honors one of MLA's most respected members and recognizes outstanding practicing librarians or library educators in the field of health sciences librarianship and informatics who demonstrate skills in one or more of the following areas: teaching, curriculum development, mentoring, research, or leadership in education at local, regional, or national levels.  Lucretia’s support for the seminal Rochester Study on the value of the hospital librarian was a critical part of the success of the research project. MLA also appreciates Susan Lessick’s strong leadership, vision, and scholarship support. Together, Lucretia’s legacy and Susan’s commitment enable MLA to build research skills and capacity for the next generation of practicing librarians.

Additional scholarships may become available. We will keep the Scholarship Opportunities page updated as other opportunities open up.

Opportunities for Small Libraries

Scholarships for library professionals working in small libraries provide opportunities for library professionals from these environments on limited budgets to expand their research skills and knowledge by attending the Research Training Institute.

• Goal: To increase accessibility to institute training and support for this disadvantaged group of library professionals
• Awards: Two scholarships will be awarded to attend the institute in Chicago, including:
• Registration fee with lodging ($1,875)

• Eligibility:
• Applicants must meet institute eligibility requirements.
• Applicants must work in small libraries, defined as one or more of the following:
• fewer than 4 paid staff
• hospitals with 100 beds or less
• a 1-person library
• Applicants must complete an online application form and check the scholarship application box to be considered for this award.

• Applicants must be current MLA members.  Learn more about MLA membership options and benefits.

Opportunities for AAHSL Member Libraries

Scholarships for library professionals working in AAHSL member libraries who help provide learning opportunities for academic health librarians to expand their research skills and knowledge by attending the Research Training Institute.

• Goal: To ensure that library professionals working in academic medical centers gain research competence to better understand the information needs and uses of users, and to collaborate effectively with other faculty and research teams
• Awards: Two scholarships will be awarded per institute and including:
• Registration fee with lodging ($1,875)
• Eligibility:
• Applicants must meet Institute eligibility requirements.
• Applicants must work in AAHSL member libraries. Membership verification is required.
• Applicants must complete an online application form and check the scholarship application box to be considered for this award.

Opportunities for Complimentary Registration

Partial scholarships are open to all MLA members who indicate on the application form that they have a financial need.

• Goal: To increase participation of library professionals with limited means to attend the institute.
• Awards: Eight scholarships will be awarded to attend the institute in Chicago. Each award will include a complimentary registration of $1,525.
• Eligibility:

• Applicants must meet institute eligibility requirements.
• Applicants must complete an online application form and check the scholarship application box to be considered for this award.
• Applicants must be current MLA members.

Non MLA applicants should explore MLA membership options and benefits in order to apply and receive scholarship opportunities. MLA members receive RTI fee discounts and are entitled to apply and receive RTI scholarship opportunities. First time members ($150/year) and librarians with salaries $40,000 or less ($120/year) have reduced membership fees. Learn more about MLA membership fees and benefits.

Notifications

Scholarship recipients will be notified in March 2020. 

Additional Scholarship Opportunities

Institute applicants may also apply for:

• MLA professional development grants (MLA members)
• MLA chapters professional development grants (membership may be required)
• National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) Regional Medical Libraries Professional Development Awards, up to $2,000
• Library associations and state libraries also offer grant funding to support the professional development of health sciences librarians