ILA's Inclusive Travel Grants for National Conferences aim to support one of the core strategic goals within the 2024-2029 ILA Strategic Plan: to offer diverse, equitable, and responsive educational opportunities focusing on professional development at all career stages.
Questions should be directed to ILA Communications and Engagement Manager Tamara Jenkins at tjenkins@ila.org.
Apply for a grant
Awards
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Three stipends of $2000 each
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No more than one stipend per recipient
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Awards will be made up-front rather than on a reimbursement basis
Eligible conferences
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ALA Annual or LibLearnX
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ALA divisional conferences: PLA, AASL, ACRL, ALSC Institute or YALSA YA Symposium
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ARSL
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JCLC
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REFORMA
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NCAAL
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SLA
- MLA
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Others may be suggested by applicant; must be national
Eligible Recipients
Librarians and library staff who have faced structural barriers to national participation, including those eligible for ALA’s Spectrum Scholarships (those who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, Middle Eastern/North African, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander); people with disabilities; people who identify as LGBTQIA+; and rural librarians or library staff.
Criteria and Requirements
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ILA personal member, or on staff at an ILA institutional member organization
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Currently work in a library or information role/setting
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This conference would be the first national conference the applicant has attended
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Letter of support from library/employer confirming support for applicant’s attendance at the conference (distinct from a recommendation letter, which is not required)
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250-word maximum statement indicating interest in attending and what the applicant hopes to gain from attendance at the conference
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Successful applicants do not need to submit a written report following the event but will need to submit confirmation of registration
Timeline
Rolling, depending on conference registration dates:
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First-round applications open September 22, 2025
- The deadline for first-round applications for FY 2025-26 is Friday, November 21, 2025; awards will be announced by Friday, December 19, 2025.
-If fewer than five successful applications are received, there will be a second round.
Apply for a grant
Previous Inclusive Travel Grant to National Conferences Recipients
2022 Jessica Carapia, Claire Crawford, Nincy George, Vann Harris, and Melanie Wyatt
2023 Ricardo Rodriguez, Wamecca Rodriguez, and Sylvia Rosillo
2024 Beth Smilack and Gissely Herrera
2025 Natalie Aguirre, Rubi Arreola, and Valerie Simmons
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