Medical Informatics Career Development Grant

The Medical Informatics Career Development Grant was established in 1997 by the Medical Informatics Section, now the Medical Informatics Caucus. It provides for a career development activity that will contribute to the advancement of the field of medical informatics. This grant may be used for MLA professional development opportunities offered through MEDLIB-ED that meet the grant criteria. 

Eligibility

• The grant jury will access the application and score points based on: 
• statement of interest or information that shows active participation in medical informatics field
• ability or plan to contribute to medical informatics at institution 
• description of career development activity
• need for financial support 
• The applicant must:
• be a member of MLA (membership options)
• have a master's of library science or equivalent degree
• have the potential to make significant contributions to medical informatics
• The applicant may be either a recent graduate or a librarian with significant experience in health sciences libraries. 
• It is preferred that the applicant:
• be a member of the Medical Informatics Caucus (Proof of caucus membership history may be confirmed by contacting MLA Member Services)
• update their MLA member profile page
• In support of the application the applicant should submit the following:
• Curriculum vitae or resume (required)
• Up to three (3) letters of support of this submission (optional).
• Proof of Medical Informatics Caucus membership, if applicable.

Terms

The grant jury will assess the application and score points based on statement of interest, contribution to medical informatics, career development description, and funding justification

• The online application must be completed and all supporting documents uploaded no later than November 15.
• The applicant must submit:
• a detailed specific description of the career development activity for which support is requested
• a statement of interest/previous activity in the area of medical informatics
• a current curriculum vitae
• a detailed itemization of the financial support requested
• Depending on the qualifications/requests of the candidates, the jury may recommend that the grants not be awarded in a given year.
• Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Depending on the qualifications/requests of the candidates, the jury may recommend that the grants not be awarded in a given year.
• Late and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Awarding of Grant

• Not given to support work toward a degree or certificate program.
• The grant is awarded to one individual for up to $1,500.

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 amount requested and actual grant awarded may not necessarily be the same amount.
• The funds may not be used for institutional overhead, other indirect costs, or income tax payments.

Recipient

• The grant recipient will be notified in March and 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. 
• If there are no appropriate candidates, the association may elect not to present the grant in a given year.

Ready to Submit an Application

• Choose the 2024 online application form. 
• MLA will acknowledge applications upon receipt via email.
• Once saved, the form remains open for changes or to upload supporting documents until November 15, 11:59 p.m. (CDT). 
• Incomplete and late submissions will not be considered.

Grant Recipients

• 2023: Megan M. Bell, AHIP
• 2022: none awarded
• 2021: none awarded
• 2020: Suzanne Fricke, AHIP
• 2019: Lori Winterfeldt
• 2018: Carl Leak
• 2017: Helene Richards McMurray
• 2016: Carrie L. Iwema, AHIP
• 2015: Jennifer Dinalo
• 2014: Marci Brandenburg
• 2013: Joanne M. Muellenbach, AHIP
• 2012: none awarded
• 2011: Melissa Resnick
• 2010: none awarded
• 2009: Kristine M. Alpi
• 2008: Karen Albert and Maureen Knapp
• 2007: none awarded
• 2006: Ellen Justice
• 2005: Ruling Guo and Christine Marton
• 2004: Margaret Gorman and Sara Anne Hook
• 2003: Marcy Brown and Mark Vrabel
• 2002: Mary Linn Bergstrom and Marilyn Teolis
• 2001: Susan London
• 2000: Kathleen F. Bauer and Kathryn E. Kerdolff
• 1999: Ruth Riley and Gang (Wendy) Wu
• 1998: none awarded
• 1997: Linda Hogan and Julie Johnson McGowan

Have a question? Contact MLA