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
John Oluwaseye Adebayo and Libby Anderson receive SRRT’s 2025 Conference Travel Grants
The Social Responsibilities Round Table (SRRT) of the American Library Association has named John Oluwaseye Adebayo and Libby Anderson as the 2025 winners of the SRRT Conference Travel Grants to attend the upcoming 2025 ALA Annual Conference.
Pam Henderson receives YALSA’s Joann Sweetland Lum Memorial Grant
The award recognizes a librarian who has planned a creative, innovative project that promotes literacy.
ALA announces applications for third year of the Building Library Capacity Grants
The American Library Association (ALA) announces the opening of the third year of the ALA Building Library Capacity Grants that will provide grants to public libraries assisting New Americans (immigrants and refugees).
Spectrum Scholarship Program announces Sponsorships for the 2024-2025 Scholarship Cohort
The American Library Association's (ALA) Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services awarded Spectrum Scholarships to 70 exceptional MLIS in 2024, thanks to generous donations from sponsors, ALA groups, and community members.
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:
