American and the Holocaust Frequently Asked Questions

Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries. What did Americans know? What more could have been done?

Please be sure to read the Project Guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions:

General

Q. When will the application be available?

A. Applications are now open until October 14, 2023. Access application instructions, a PDF preview, and the link to apply online here.

Q. How long will the application take me to fill out?

A. We can't give you an exact time, because it depends on a few factors, but we would estimate about three hours. If that sounds like a lot, please don't let it dissuade you! In those three hours, we are including the time to create a log-in, review the questions, and think about and write your responses. When we read your proposal, we will want to get to know about your community, your plans, and how this exhibit will make a difference.

Q. May applications be submitted in hard copy?

A. No. Applications must be submitted online. Applications that are late or incomplete will not be reviewed. If you encounter problems interacting with our online grants management platform due to difficulties with assistive technologies, please contact publicprograms@ala.org or call 312.280.5045. Please also include information about the nature of your accessibility barrier so we can best provide support.

Q. Where can I find general grant writing support?

A. For tips on writing a competitive grant, watch the Grant Writing 101 webinar.

Q. This is my first time applying for a grant through ALA's grants management platform. How do I use the system?

A. For more information about using our grants management system, please visit our How to Apply webpage.

Q. I am an ALA Member, but my login credentials do not work when I try to login to apply. Why is this happening?

A. This application process is conducted through our grant system which requires a separate login account from your ALA member login. When you are taken to the application page, click “Create Account” under the login information prompts, and you will be taken to the Account Creation page. For more information about using our grants management system, please visit our How to Apply webpage.

Q. Are letters of support required?

A. No - letters of support are optional. You may choose to include letters of support from your community to provide reviewers with more information about your project and community partnerships; however, they are not required and will not impact your eligibility.

Q. Who should my letters of support be addressed to?

A. You can address any letters of support to the ALA Public Programs Office.

Q. Will the application require sign off from a certifying official?

A. Yes. The certifying official who signs off on your application should be anyone with your library who is able to submit applications for funding on behalf of the institution. This may vary depending on the institution but is typically the library director.

Q. Can the certifying official be the same person as the project director and/or the person submitting the application?

A. Yes. The certifying official can be the same person listed as the project director and/or the person submitting the proposal as long as they are able to submit applications for funding on behalf of their institution.

Q. Can my institution charge indirect costs/overhead/Facilities and Administration costs as part of the $3,000 programming stipend?

A. No. The programming stipend cannot be used to support indirect costs, i.e. general administrative expenses of any kind.

Eligibility

Q. What types of libraries are eligible?

A. Americans and the Holocaust is available to public and academic libraries in the United States. Individuals and federal entities are not eligible to apply.

Q. Do I need to be an ALA member to apply?

A. No. ALA members and non-members are all welcome to apply.

Q. Can we partner with another location to display the exhibit?

A. Yes, the exhibit can be displayed in a space other than the library with some caveats. First, the Library must be the applicant. A community partner can display the exhibit for the library, but the library will be solely responsible for programming, tours, and grant requirements. Second, things like the partner location’s hours of operation and accessibility to the public are taken into consideration to ensure the location the exhibit is being displayed at is an active community space similar to the library. Third, if you propose to host the exhibition at another site, please articulate why hosting it at the library is not feasible.

Timeline/Review Process

Q. How many sites will be selected?

A. Fifty total (public and academic) libraries will be selected to host the exhibition.

Q. Can I edit my application after it has been submitted?

A. No. Applications cannot be edited once they are submitted.

Q. How will my library’s proposal be reviewed?

A. Proposals will be assessed by a review panel of libraries and staff of ALA and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Along with the evaluation criteria mentioned here, the panel may take geographic and demographic distribution into consideration when selecting exhibition sites.

Q. How will I be notified about the status of my application?

A. Notifications of application status will go out in late January 2024. All notification emails will come from administrator@grantinterface.com. We recommend adding that address to your contact list.

Other Questions

Q. I have questions regarding the accessibility of the application. Who can I contact for help?

A. If you encounter problems interacting with our online grants management platform due to difficulties with assistive technologies, please contact publicprograms@ala.org or call 312.280.5045. Please also include information about the nature of your accessibility barrier so we can best provide support.