IRRT Mission Enhancement Grant - Call for Proposals

In 2016, IRRT members and supporters established the IRRT Endowment. Interest from the Endowment will be used to fund member-initiated proposals for international activities and initiatives which contribute to ALA’s role in international librarianship. Goals for the funding are to provide support for international projects or partnerships; promote a global dialogue about librarianship; increase visibility of international opportunities for U.S. and international librarians, and encourage international collaboration in librarianship.

Examples of proposals that could be considered for funding include, but are not limited to:

  • Support for travel that is necessary to advance an international project or partnership*
  • Funds to support Sister Library initiatives
  • Funds to support the development and distribution of training or publicity materials in support of an international initiatives

*In general money for travel will be applied to in-country travel (this may include lodging, transportation, etc. when an individual works on a project in another country or when an individual brings a librarian from other country on the project in U.S.).

The amount available for grants may vary each year. IRRT may choose to use available funds to provide one or more grants of varying amounts. The maximum grant amount per proposal will be $1000.00.

Proposal process:

Proposals must be submitted by a current IRRT member in good standing (two or more years). Individual IRRT members may submit or support only one proposal per year. Use of the IRRT Mission Enhancement Grant Proposal Form is required. Once complete, the form may be sent to the International Relations Office by e-mail or regular mail. Proposals are due no later than January 1st and will be reviewed by the IRRT Endowment Committee at the ALA Midwinter Meeting.

Criteria:

  1. The proposal must be submitted by an IRRT member in good standing.
  2. The proposal must support programming or activities that advance the IRRT Missionand/or ALA’sinternational strategic goals.
  3. The proposal must involve collaboration or engagement with librarians from more than one country.
  4. In most cases, the proposal must support an activity that will be completedwithin one year of award date.
  5. Recipients agree to send a report by then end of the year indicating:
  6. A description of how the project was carried out
  7. An evaluation of the project, describing successes and challenges
  8. An accounting of how funds were spent
  9. Photos and quotes from project participants about the project
  1. Recipients agree to submit an article to IRRT’s publication, International Leads, within 3 months of completing the project.
  1. Recipients agree to acknowledge the IRRT Mission Enhancement Grant on publicity, reports, and other documentation related to the project.

Awards will not support purchase of books or materials for a specific library, conference travel not tied to a funded initiative, or volunteer work for an established program.

All proposals are submitted to the ALA International Relations Office for review by the IRRT Endowment Committee. Applicants may be contacted for additional information.

Notification process:

Individuals submitting nominations will be notified of a decisionwithin 15 days of the ALA Midwinter Meeting. The Committee may elect to offer partial grants in response to a proposal.

Successful nominations will be announced at the International Librarians Reception on the Monday evening of the ALA Annual Conference. In addition, grants may be announced in a variety of IRRT communication channels and shared with ALA’s Public Information Office.

Recipients requiring assistance with international travel or documents related to conference attendance should contact the ALA International Relations Office.

IRRT Mission Enhancement Grant - Proposal Form

Proposal title: ______

Name and contact information of IRRT member submitting grant proposal:

Name:

Job Title:

Organization:

Address:

Phone Number:

E-mail:

ALA Member Number:

Nameand contact information for individual(s) or an organization to receive funds (if different from above):

Name:

Job Title:

Organization:

Address:

Phone Number:

E-mail:

Add additional names to the end of the form if necessary. The submitter and any individuals responsible for use of the funds mustprovide a CV or resume.

Please send a proposal narrative of no more than two pages. The narrative should include a description of the project, expected outcomes, a timeline for implementation, a budget detailing how funds will be used, and information about any additional funding support for the proposal. Additional supporting documentation such as letters of invitation or support, project materials, or web links may be sent with required materials. The proposal must be received by the International Relations Office by January 1 of each year to be considered. Send proposals to .

Questions should be sent to Delin Guerra at who will forward them to the Chair of the Endowment Committee.