Mary K. Haver Consumer Health Professional Development Grant

Mary K. Havers Consumer and Patient Health Information Services Professional Development Grant provides members working in consumer health librarianship with the support needed for educational activities. Initially funded through the Consumer and Patient Health Information Section (CAPHIS) of the MLA, the award was elevated to a national level grant in 2021. This grant may be used to attend conferences, obtain training, or take continuing education classes.

Eligibility

• The applicant must:
  • hold a graduate degree in library science.
  • be a practicing health sciences information professional or transitioning between career paths and/or employment opportunities.
  • have at least two years of experience in consumer health librarianship or Level I Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS) certification.
  • be a member of MLA. (membership options)
• The applicant may not have received an MLA grant, scholarship, or other awards within the last year.
• It is preferred that the applicant:
  • be a member of the Consumer and Patient Health Information Services Caucus. Proof of caucus membership history may be confirmed by contacting MLA Member Services.
  • update their MLA member profile page.

Terms

The grant jury will access the application and score points based on statement of career objectives, relevance of course to objectives, justification of the amount requested, and clarity of application. 

• The online application must be completed, and all supporting documents uploaded no later than November 15.
• The application should include: 
  • a description of the professional development activity, including scope, duration, and budget.
  • a detailed itemization of the financial support requested.
  • indication of how skills obtained may result in a specific outcome (e.g., planned research project, publication, change in library operations, etc.)
  • The name of one reference the jury may contact. 
• In the case of support for scientific research:
  • describe the research project including title, goals, objectives, methodology, budget, the project’s contribution to the field of library and information practice, and identification of a research mentor.
  • show how the educational program or research project will aid in achieving objectives set forth in the educational policy and research policy statements referenced above.

Awarding of Grant

• No more than one employee per institution per year.
• Not given to support work toward a degree or certificate program.
• One to four grants will be awarded per year, with a maximum (aggregate) award of $1000.
• Depending on the qualifications/requests of the candidates, the jury may recommend that the grant not be awarded in a given year.

Grant Funds

• The grant may be used for professional development and/or activities in the areas of medical information services.  
• All proposed expenses must clearly align with the intention of the grant and will be evaluated for relevance.
• Funding may be used for reasonable and actual expenses that meet MLA guidelines:
• Direct costs related to profession development or conference attendance (e.g., registration fees, books)
• Direct costs related to the project, where applicable (e.g., scans of library resources or interlibrary loans, teleconferencing fees, virtual polling software)
• Physical travel within North America, or international travel when specifically allowed (e.g., mileage, travel fares, lodging)
• Costs to enable the awardee to travel (may allow for compensation for reasonable expenses, e.g., family caregiving)
• The funds may not be used for institutional overhead, other indirect costs, or income tax payments. 

Recipient

• The recipient and nonrecipients will be notified in March before the public announcement is made.
• The grant recipient will receive grant funds in after expense statements, receipts, and verification of program completion are submitted to MLA headquarters in June.   
• The amount requested and actual grant awarded may not necessarily be the same amount. The amount reimbursed will not exceed actual expenses.
• The period of disbursement of grant funds will not exceed one year past the date of the MLA annual conference. 
• The recipient will be asked to share a photo and video for the virtual awards ceremony held in April. 

Ready to Submit an Application?

• The grant application process is closed.
• Recipients will be announced in March 2024.
• Applications will open next in August 2024.

Grant Recipients

• 2024: none awarded
• 2023: Judith Marie Griggs, AHIP and Arlene Haessler
• 2022: none awarded

Have a question? Contact MLA