(via Gwen Gregory, University of Illinois at Chicago)
In 2019, ACRL’s Value of Academic Libraries Committee is continuing to offer funding to members doing work on academic library contributions to student learning and success. Both the Academic Library Impact Research Grants and the Value of Academic Libraries Travel Scholarships build on recommendations from ACRL’s 2017 report Academic Library Impact: Improving Practice and Essential Areas to Research (prepared for ACRL by OCLC Research and available for download or purchase).
The Academic Library Impact Research Grants support new research, particularly in the six priority areas suggested by the Academic Library Impact report. ACRL invites practicing librarians and information professionals employed in academic and research libraries to apply for funding for research on library contributions to student learning and success. Each proposed project should aim to build on the foundations of the Academic Library Impact report and fill gaps in existing literature. In this round of grants, the committee would particularly welcome proposals related to issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion. The grants are for up to $3,000 for research, with successful recipients eligible to apply for up to $1,500 in additional funding for dissemination of their findings. Applications are due April 25, 2019.
The VAL Travel Scholarships support practicing librarians and information professionals presenting their work at higher education conferences or disciplinary conferences where they will reach audiences outside the library field. The presentations may focus on practice-based work or formal research projects. Each scholarship is worth up to $2000 and covers transportation, accommodation, and conference registration fees. Applications for the current round of scholarships are due February 15, 2019.
“We are delighted to offer these opportunities to researchers in the field,” says Value of Academic Libraries Committee Chair Holly Mercer. “Academic libraries can have many positive effects on student learning and these grants and scholarships allow librarians to explore and share the impact of their work.”
More information on the Academic Library Impact Research Grants and Value of Academic Libraries Travel Scholarships is available on the ACRL website.