Grants
ALA Grants
Each year, ALA and its member units award a variety of grants to provide funding or material support for current and future activities. Grants support the planning and implementation of programs, aid in the preparation of a dissertation or other publications, and promote research in library and information sciences.
Historic ALA Grants
ALA has a long history of providing grants to support libraries and library-related initiatives across the United States. Although these Historic ALA Grants are no longer offered, they have played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of libraries in America, fostering innovation, promoting literacy, and ensuring access to information for all members of society.
Upcoming grant opportunities
State library and school library association chapters and state library agencies are encouraged to apply to receive a $10,000 grant to establish or bolster a statewide Intellectual Freedom Helpline.
The Frances Henne Research Grant annually provides $1,000 in seed money for small scale research or action research projects that respond to the YALSA Research Agenda. This grant is administered by YALSA.
Travel grants will be awarded annually to five black/African American youth/teen services public or school librarians for the purpose of attending the ALA Annual conference.
Latest ALA Grant News
Finkelstein Memorial Library Receives 2025 ALSC/Candlewick Press Light the Way Grant
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has announced that Finkelstein Memorial Library is the recipient of the 2025 ALSC/Candlewick Press "Light the Way: Outreach to the Underserved" Grant.
ALA awards $10,000 grants to 16 libraries to build capacity to serve New Americans (immigrants and refugees)
The American Library Association (ALA) today announced $10,000 Building Library Capacity Grants to sixteen libraries across the country to serve New Americans (immigrants and refugees).
North Miami Public Library awarded 2025 Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has awarded the 2025 ALSC/Baker & Taylor Summer Reading Program Grant to North Miami Public Library in North Miami, Florida.
EBSCO Conference Sponsorship Winners Announced
The EBSCO/ ALA Conference Sponsorship Award has been awarded to the following librarians to receive the 2025 EBSCO Conference Sponsorship. This award reimburses $1,000 of actual expenses to attend ALA’s Annual Conference.
Grant-Writing Resources from ALA Editions
Combining easy‐to‐understand advice with a toolkit of practical worksheets and checklists, this book offers a proven, immediately applicable method for success that will enable libraries to find the funding and resources they need.
By lifting the veil on the mysteries of grantseeking, this book will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to create fundable grant proposals.
Using this guide, librarians, fundraisers, and researchers will find quick, convenient access to information on the most likely funding sources for libraries.
A practical and comprehensive manual that guides you through grant fundamentals.
Frequently asked questions
Each grant offered by ALA has different eligibility requirements, including whether a recipient needs to be a current member of ALA and/or the awarding unit. You can find eligibility requirements on each grant's information page.
Read each grant's criteria closely and follow the directions precisely. Be sure to tailor your application to those criteria.
For more guidance on writing successful grant proposals, check out these resources:
