Educational Grants

Eligibility

• Membership in MLA for a minimum of 6 months prior to the date of application is required for consideration.
• Current members of the Professional Development Panel Educational Grants Subcommittee are not eligible.

Qualifying Activities

• Grants of up to $500 are available for workshops, conferences, and pre-conferences.
• Scholarship grants for library science courses and undergraduate courses at all levels qualify for awards up to $500, based on available funds and the number of applications. Non-credit bearing courses that are approved for certification renewal are also eligible.

Criteria

The review committee will use the following criteria in making award decisions:

• Quality of submitted application, including thoroughness and attention to detail. Hand-written
  applications will not be reviewed.
• The activity's potential value or return on investment.
• The applicant's level of involvement in MLA.
• The applicant’s previous MLA Educational Grant Award history. (Any MLA member may apply; however,
  priority may be given to those who have not previously received funds.)
• The credentials of the activity’s sponsor.
• Equity of distribution among staff of the various types of libraries (i.e., academic, public, school, and
  special), among different types of members (clericals, paraprofessionals, professionals, students, etc.),
  and among members from different geographical regions.

Application & Reimbursement

• Deadlines for applications to be received in the MLA Office are January 15 and July 15 of each year.
• The Educational Grants Subcommittee will announce the awards within one month after each deadline.
• Applicants may seek funding for an activity that will occur during the next six months or that occurred during the previous six months
• Applicants receiving funds from another source must provide details of such funding and show that MLA funds are needed as a supplement.
• The grantee will be reimbursed after the activity has been attended and when the grantee has submitted one of the following to the MLA Office: 1. an academic transcript for college courses, 2. a CEU form with all of the relevant information filled out, or 3. a brief statement outlining the program, your attendance, and what you learned from the activity.

Application Process

• Complete the attached form, providing all the information asked for. An incomplete application may result in
  disqualification for consideration.
• Applications must be typed. Hand-written applications will not be considered.
• Submit your completed application to Maryland Library Association, Attn: Educational Grants Subcommittee, 1401 Hollins Street, Baltimore, MD 21223.
• Questions? Please call the MLA office at 410-947-5090.