The ALA Office for Diversity has extended its deadline for proposals for the 2008 Diversity Research Grants from April 30 to May 19, 2008. Applicants must be current ALA members. 2008 proposals must address one of three identified topics:
– The Impact of Rapidly Shifting Demographics on Information Needs, Services and Strategies
– Diversity and Library Services to LGBTQ Communities
– The Impact of Library 2.0 Initiatives on Services to Under-Served Populations
The Diversity Research Grant consists of a one-time $2,000 award for original research and a $500 travel grant to attend and present at ALA Annual Conference. One proposal will be chosen from each of this year’s topics for a total of three awards. Grant recipients will be expected to compile the results of their research into a paper and will be asked to present and publish the final product in conjunction with the ALA.
Proposals must include the following information: a cover letter, one-page vita for each of the researchers involved; a concise abstract of the project; and a description of the project detailing the justification and needs for the research project, research objectives, expected outcomes and benefits, budget plan and timeline. For a complete list of the criterion on which proposals will be evaluated, please visit the Office for Diversity website.
Electronic submissions are preferred and should be submitted in a Word document attachment. Send electronic submissions to diversity@ala.org. Mailed submissions should be sent to the ALA Office for Diversity, Attn: Gwendolyn Prellwitz, 50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. For more information, please contact the Office for Diversity at diversity@ala.org or (800) 545-2433 ext. 5048.