VAL Travel Scholarships - FAQs
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- What conferences can I attend?
- I am not a librarian, but I work in an academic or research library: am I eligible to apply?
- I work outside the United States. Am I eligible to apply?
- Does the location of the conference matter, e.g. can it be overseas?
- I worked on a project as part of a team: can we jointly apply for the travel scholarship?
- The conference that interests me most is in fall 2018, can I apply now for a travel scholarship?
- Are you offering these travel scholarships again for 2018-19?
- What happens if the conference organizers ask me to change format?
- If I am not at a research university library will I be at a disadvantage in applying for a travel scholarship?
- The conference where my work fits best is online only. Can I apply to receive reimbursement for the registration only?
- What advice can you offer about preparing a strong application?
- Am I eligible if my institution has an organizational membership?
What conferences can I attend?
The scholarships can be used for travel to any non-library sponsored conference where the majority of attendees are not librarians. Examples include but are not limited to accrediting agency conferences, Assessment Institute at IUPUI, American Association of Community Colleges annual convention, Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education annual conference, Association for Institutional Research Forum, Achieving the Dream DREAM conference, disciplinary conferences, or others. For examples of conferences past recipients attended, see the announcements from the first two rounds of scholarships awarded in January 2018, October 2018, and April 2019.
I am not a librarian, but I work in an academic or research library: am I eligible to apply?
Yes, any information professional who works in an academic or research library is eligible to apply. Applications will be evaluated on the nature of the work being presented and its alignment with the stated criteria. Also, each applicant must be a member of ACRL and employed as a librarian or information professional in an academic or research library in the year prior to application for the travel scholarship.
I work outside the United States. Am I eligible to apply?
Yes.
Does the location of the conference matter, e.g. can it be overseas?
The location does not matter, but a related point does: Your funding proposal should still fall within the maximum amount ($2000 USD), or if travel will cost more you will need to find additional sources of funding or cover the expenses yourself.
I worked on a project as part of a team: can we jointly apply for the travel scholarship?
If you are proposing for two people to travel to a conference, your presentation proposal should clearly articulate why both need to be there to present. We have a limited budget and would like for it to have maximum effect. One person may present on work conducted as part of a team.
The conference that interests me most is in fall 2020, can I apply now for a travel scholarship?
Not at this time. All travel must be completed by August 31, 2020, as this marks the end of ALA's fiscal year. Additionally, at the time of application the applicant must have submitted a proposal or have had a proposal accepted to the conference.
Are you offering these travel scholarships again for 2020-21?
We may offer travel scholarships that will cover conferences held from September 1, 2020 - August 31, 2021. If so, that call for applications will be issued in summer 2020.
What happens if the conference organizers ask me to change format? For example, they could provisionally accept my proposal and ask if I would agree present my work as part of a series of Roundtable Discussions instead of a standalone presentation.
If you are granted an ACRL travel scholarship and receive a notification such as this, you should consult with ACRL staff and we will work with you to consider such a scenario on a case-by-case basis.
If I am not at a research university library will I be at a disadvantage in applying for a travel scholarship?
Absolutely not. To have the greatest possible impact, the selection subcommittee seeks strong applicants who bring a range of perspectives in terms of types of institutions, geographical regions, and nature of the work presented.
The conference where my work fits best is online only. Can I apply to receive reimbursement for the registration only?
Please do apply. The subcommittee is open to considering all applications for strong presentations at compelling conferences, regardless of format.
What advice can you offer about preparing a strong application?
The strongest applications will clearly identify how: the proposed presentation aligns with the core ommitment or strategic goals and objectives as stated in ACRL's strategic plan, the topic aligns with current interests and trends in higher education and libraries, and presenting this project at the stated conference is compelling. Additionally, reviewers will seek evidence that the proposed presentation is clear and intriguing, the purpose and outcomes are clear, and that there is a need for funding.
Am I eligible to apply if my institution has an organizational membership?
You need to be an individual ACRL member to be eligible for these scholarships. Eligibility for grant and scholarship programs is considered one of the benefits of membership.
If your questions are not answered here or in the CFP, please contact acrl@ala.org or the current chair of ACRL's Value of Academic Libraries Committee.
