Collection Development Professional Development Grant

Established in 2021, the Collection Development Professional Development Grant provides health sciences librarians working in collection development and related information management fields with the support needed for educational activities. 

Eligibility

• The applicant must:
• • employed as a health sciences librarian within the last year in either a hospital or other clinical care or academic institution.
  • 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 Collection Development 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 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.)
• 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 two grants awarded per year, with a maximum (aggregate) award of $2000. 
• If no applicants meet the minimum general criteria, a grant will not be awarded.
  • In the case of support for scientific research:
    • Recipient will submit a progress report one year after receiving the grant, with a follow-up report at the conclusion of the project.
    • Upon acceptance for publication, recipient must inform MLA and recognition of MLA support must be given.

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 
• The grant will not exceed $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.

Past Award Recipients

• 2023: Dianne M. Aldrich and Joanne Romano