MLA Research Training Institute (RTI) is an immersive online continuing education program for health sciences librarians and LIS graduate students that provides advanced research methods training and an intensive level of support as participants successfully design, conduct, and disseminate a research project.
The RTI Fellowship Program offers a unique and highly effective training model that includes:
- Series of online modules over a one-year period that align with the various stages of the research process.
- Full year of mentoring and support by faculty and peer coaches as participants complete a research project during the institute year.
- Specialized MLA-approved curriculum that covers research planning and design, theoretical frameworks, method selection, data collection and analysis, digital dissemination of research, and reporting findings.
- Faculty consists of 6 research/education experts assisted by 5 peer coaches who are participants from previous RTI institutes.
- Membership in an online network of colleagues and other institute participants (RTI community of practice).
- Opportunity to present a poster presentation at the MLA annual meeting.
- Opportunity to earn 48 MLA continuing education (CE) contact hours.
- Opportunity to earn an MLA Research Training Institute (RTI) Fellow Certificate.
Here’s what RTI Fellows have said about their experience:
“Participating in the RTI has been like getting a mini-PhD.”
“RTI has helped me approach my research ideas from a place of empowerment instead of apprehension.”
“One of the most productive and professional fulfilling milestones of my career.”
RTI ’25 Application Details
- Application dates for the 2025-2026 program: November 1, 2024 – February 18, 2025
- Notifications of acceptance will be sent
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Employed as a health sciences library professional or as a library professional who provides health information, support, and services to health care professionals, researchers, educators, students, patients, consumers, or the public
- Completed a graduate program in library and information studies, have equivalent graduate credentials in related information science discipline, or be a current LIS graduate student (see below)
- Able to attend the Research Training Institute from May 2025–June 30, 2026
- Able to pay the institute fee by May 30, 2025 (unless a scholarship is awarded)
Special Note:
- MLA Membership is not required.
- Only one applicant from an institution will be selected in order to ensure a diverse cohort.
- Review the RTI Fellowship Program Jury Application Rubric and use it to guide your application.
- Prepare your answers to the four questions about your interest in joining the Institute and your research ideas. Your answers will be used to assess your readiness for the program and do not commit you to addressing the topic or question you describe. You will develop and refine your ideas in collaboration with Institute instructors and your peers.
- Explain why you are applying and what you want to gain from participation in the Institute. Explain how you will manage your time and balance research tasks with workplace demands throughout the year-long program. (no more than 300 words)
- Provide a brief description of the research topic that you would like to develop while in the RTI program. Include one potential research question you would like to explore in relation to the topic. Your project must be a new project that you have not yet implemented (no more than 300 words)
- Describe how your research topic will address a significant issue in health sciences librarianship. Identify the gaps of knowledge that can be addressed by your research topic? (no more than 200 words)
- Summarize the key findings and conclusions of research on your topic. Use no more than five cited sources. (no more than 200 words)
Institute Fees
Fee includes an immersive online continuing education program that takes place over a one-year period and includes a specialized MLA-approved curriculum, mentoring, and an opportunity to earn continuing education hours and a certificate when completed.
- MLA Member: $1,795
- Student: $898
- Non-MLA Member: $2,387
Scholarships
Several scholarship opportunities are available to MLA members in need of financial support. If you are not an MLA member, please explore the benefits of membership. Becoming a member will make you eligible for the member tuition rate and RTI scholarships.
Scholarship applicants may apply for additional funding through MLA or other funding institutions (e.g., MLA chapters, MLA sections, and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine).
RTI Program Details
By the end of the institute program, participants will be able to:
- write research questions and hypotheses
- select a research plan to address their research question
- identify the components of a research proposal
- select a theoretical framework appropriate to a given research question
- conduct a literature review
- apply sampling, recruitment, and ethics approval strategies and procedures
- apply data collection and data management strategies
- identify statistical analyses appropriate to a research question and interpret statistical tests
- identify venues, processes, and issues related to research dissemination
- identify the components of a publishable research report
- apply strategies for writing and submitting a draft research article
- apply strategies for digital research dissemination to various audiences
- enumerate factors that influence balance of research with workplace demands
RTI Participants receive 48 MLA continuing education (CE) contact hours. Interested participants may apply for 30 points toward membership in the Academy of Health Information Professional (AHIP).
RTI participants that have completed the program are eligible to apply for an RTI Fellow Certificate. The certificate program provides professional recognition for librarians and graduate students who have completed the RTI advanced research training and conducted and disseminated a research study. To earn the RTI Fellow Certificate, RTI participants must have completed the full RTI program (met the four RTI program requirements). The RTI program requirements are:
- Successful completion of all RTI coursework (all RTI modules in MEDLIB-ED) verified by an MLA CE Certificate
- Participation in group mentor meetings
- Poster presentation of your research project/findings at an MLA annual meeting
- Leading and completing a health information study (defined as completing all stages of your research project, including the statistical/data analysis and research results)
MLA will process your application and, on approval, send you a certificate recognizing your accomplishment. Your award letter will include a link to a digital badge you can include in your email signature line or website.
2024 Institute Participants
The 2024 RTI participants were chosen by a selective submission process with an emphasis on a desire to learn, enthusiasm for research, and the quality and promise of their proposed research projects.
2024 Faculty
The Research Training Institute (RTI) faculty are recognized experts in a wide range of research areas. They will help librarians use, create, and apply research-based evidence to enhance decision-making, address evolving user needs, communicate library value, and support quality health care.
Dissemination and Impact
The goals of the Research Training Institute (RTI) are to increase research competencies, quantity, quality, and dissemination, and build research capacity among health librarians to contribute to health and library improvements. See more about the RTI Impact.
Assessment Findings
The RTI has a proven track record of successfully addressing key MLA core values of promoting the creation and dissemination of health information research and building research capacity among health sciences librarians everywhere to contribute to health and library improvements. See more about the RTI Assessment Findings.
Participant Scholarly Contributions
See the list of RTI participant research publications, presentations, and posters representing scholarly work in the fields of librarianship and health care.
For questions regarding the RTI Fellowship Program, please contact Susan Lessick, AHIP, FMLA, RTI founding director.