For immediate release | September 4, 2026

ALA 2027 Scholarship Application Now Open

If you need financial assistance to help fund your graduate education, scholarship opportunities are now available through the American Library Association (ALA). More than $300,000 in scholarship funding is available to students pursuing master’s degrees in library and information science or school library media. The application deadline is March 1, 2027, so start your application early.

Scholarships range from $2,500 to $8,000 per student per year. Opportunities are available for students interested in areas such as children’s librarianship, public librarianship, youth librarianship, federal librarianship, new media, and library automation. Scholarships are also available for people of color, people with disabilities, and individuals already working in libraries who do not have a master’s degree in library and information science (MLS).

To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled in a master’s-level library and information science program accredited by the ALA. Review the application requirements and instructions and begin preparing your application as soon as possible.

Applicants interested in school librarianship must attend a program that meets ALA curriculum guidelines for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Complete guidelines and instructions for nationally reviewed and recognized CAEP/AASL school librarianship education programs are available through the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

The scholarship application cycle is open annually from September through March. For more information, visit the ALA Scholarship page or contact the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse at (800) 545-2433, ext. 4279, or scholarships@ala.org.

The ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse is managed by the ALA Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR).

Contact:

Kimberly Redd

Program Manager, Certification & Talent Development

Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment (HRDR)

klredd@ala.org

800-545-2433 x4279

Featured News

View all

ALA American Library Association, AASL American Association of School Librarians

September 30, 2026

ALA, AASL Endorse the Bicameral Quality Educator Partnership Act

The American Library Association and American Association of School Librarians endorsed the bicameral Quality Educator Partnership Act (S.5549 / H.R.10530).

August 24, 2026

ALA Opens 2027 Annual Conference & Exhibition Call for Proposals

ALA invites education programs and posters for the ALA 2027 Annual Conference & Exhibition, June 24-28, 2027, in New Orleans. The Annual Conference explores key challenges and opportunities facing libraries, with professional development rooted in timely research, innovation, and best practices. The submission sites are open now through September 21, 2026.

June 25, 2026

American Library Association launches national advocacy campaign to fight FCC attack on library funding

The American Library Association, along with SHLB Coalition partners, launched a full-scall advocacy campaign today after the FCC voted to advance a proposal that asks whether the E-Rate program should be terminated or limited to only rural areas.

Woman with long dark hair looking over her right shoulder

May 5, 2026

Laufey takes center stage as honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month 2026

Icelandic-Chinese composer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Laufey has been named honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month.

April 30, 2026

ALA, SHLB partners disappointed with FCC decision to impose new E-Rate bidding portal

The American Library Association today expressed disappointment following the Federal Communications Commission's vote to establish a new competitive bidding portal for the federal E-Rate program.

April 9, 2026

ALA and AFSCME Prevail in Fight to Protect Libraries and Museums Nationwide

On April 9, 2026, the American Library Association (ALA) – the largest library association in the world – and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) – the nation’s largest union of cultural workers – reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice that protects the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and ensures the agency will continue carrying out its congressionally mandated work.

April 7, 2026

Trump administration withdraws appeal, securing historic victory for libraries and IMLS

On April 6, 2026, a federal court granted the Trump Administration’s request to withdraw its appeal of a federal judge’s earlier ruling that struck down the Administration’s dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

April 3, 2026

White House FY27 budget proposal repeats threats to eliminate IMLS

The proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 federal budget released today by the White House would cut funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and the school library program Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL).

March 18, 2026

'Dangerous' bill inviting government censorship passes House committee

The American Library Association condemns the March 17, 2026, passage of H.R. 7661 by the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Show Up for Our Libraries - American Library Association (ALA)

March 5, 2026

After blocking cuts to FY 2026 funding, library advocates call for boost in federal funding for FY 2027

As the House of Representatives began taking requests for federal Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 spending, the American Library Association (ALA) launched its annual Fund Libraries campaign...