Hospital Libraries Professional Development Grant

This grant was established in 1996 by the Hospital Libraries Section, now the Hospital Library Caucus. It provides librarians working in a hospital and similar clinical settings with the support needed for educational or research activities, which includes developing and acquiring the knowledge and skills delineated in Competencies for Lifelong Learning and Professional Success: The Educational Policy Statement of the Medical Library Association and The Research Imperative: The Research Policy Statement of the Medical Library Association. This grant may be used for MLA professional development opportunities offered through MEDLIB-ED. The Hospital Libraries Professional Development Grant may also be used to support reimbursement for expenses incurred in conducting scientific research, such as professional assistance in survey research design, statistical analyses, and so on. 

Eligibility

• The applicant must be:
• employed as a health sciences librarian within the last year in either a hospital or other clinical care institution.
• a member of MLA. (membership options)
• The applicant may not:
• have previously received the Hospital Libraries Professional Development Grant.
• received an MLA grant, scholarship, or other awards within the last year.
• It is preferred that the applicant:
• be a member of the Hospital Libraries Caucus. Proof of caucus membership history may be confirmed by contacting MLA Member Services.
• update their MLA member profile page.

Terms

• The online application must be completed and all supporting documents uploaded no later than November 15.
• The application should include: 
• a description of a specific education program, including scope, duration, level of study 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 study, publication, change in library operations, etc.)
• 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.
• Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Awarding of Grant:

• No more than one employee per institution per year.
• Not given to support work toward a degree or certificate program.
• Maximum of four grants awarded per year.
• If no applicants meet the minimum general criteria, a grant will not be awarded.

Grant Funds

• The amount requested and actual grant awarded may not necessarily be the same amount.
• The amount reimbursed will not exceed actual expenses and the amount requested.
• The grant will be distributed as a reimbursement for actual expenses incurred, within the limits described above and may include:
• tuition
• travel
• materials
• the specific research support activity
• A maximum of four grants may be awarded per year, with a maximum (aggregate) award of $2000.  
• Expense statements, receipts, and verification of program completion must be submitted to MLA headquarters.
• The period of disbursement will not exceed one year past the MLA annual conference.

Ready to Submit an Application?

• Applications will open next in August 2023.

Grant Recipients

• 2023: Marlowe Bogino and Alexandra Short, AHIP
• 2022: Margaret Easbey and D M (Mikki) Smith, AHIP
• 2021: none awarded
• 2020: Danielle N. Linden, AHIP and Louisa Verma, AHIP
• 2019: Barbara (Basia) Delawska-Elliott, AHIP and Tanisha N. Mills, AHIP
• 2018: Carrie D. Adams and Celine Soudant
• 2017: Sue Espe, AHIP
• 2016: Lee Luniewski and Karen Dianne Stafford
• 2015: Amanda Gautreaux, AHIP
• 2014: Emily J. Glenn, AHIP, and Candy Winteregg
• 2013: Meredith Ilyse Solomon and Leah C. Osterhaus Trzasko
• 2012: Elizabeth Jayne Kiscaden
• 2011: none awarded
• 2010: none awarded
• 2009: Lois Culler and Lisa A. Marks
• 2008: Amy Frey and Michelle Goodwin
• 2007: Hella Bluhm-Steiber and Brenda Wong
• 2006: Rita Haydar and Joan Wilson
• 2005: Marcy Brown and Sharon Kambeitz
• 2004: Pamela Barnard and Lisa Blackwell
• 2003: Wendy Larson
• 2002: none awarded
• 2001: Misa F. Mi and Tamara Rader
• 2000: Laura Gerwitz and Celia Munoz Smith
• 1999: Metro Detroit MLG-Research Committee
• 1998: Carol Shisler

Have a question? Contact MLA