MCMLA Research Stipend

The MidContinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association provides grant support for research projects in order to promote and stimulate excellence in the field of health science librarianship and the information sciences. Grants may be used to support all or part of thecosts of a study, up to a maximum of $1000. MCMLA may award more than one grant in a year for a maximum of $1000 in any one year. If the funds are not allocated in the fall, other research-based options may be considered at the discretion of the Research Committee.

Submit your application by e-mailing your proposal to the Chair of the Research Committee.

Previous Recipients of the MCMLA Research Stipend

Eligibility and Terms

1.Preference is given to applicants who are practicing health sciences librarians with at least two years of professional experience.

2.The applicant must be a current member of MCMLA.

3.The scope and nature of the proposed project should give evidence of an established methodology and a viable research design.

4.The proposal should contain title, goals or objectives, methodology, significance, and budget; evidence of knowledge of the state of the art and existing published literature on the proposed research topic; and a description of the proposed means of disseminating the results.

5.The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications:

Regarding the Proposed Project: originality, importance to the profession, soundness of experimental design and detail, and feasibility of scope.

Regarding the Applicant: education and training, experience, research competence, and research potential. The name of at least one professional reference must be provided from a person capable of providing an evaluation of the applicant's knowledge of the topic and an assessment of the applicant's research skills.

6.Grants will not be given to support an activity that is operational in nature or has only local usefulness.

7.The award will be disbursed upon recognition at the MCMLA Annual Meeting.

8.A midyear report to the Research Committee will be required on or before May 1 following the award's presentation. This report should document completed project activities, list expenses to date, and provide a listof activities planned for the next two quarters. A final report to the Research Committee is due by October 1 documenting the year's work on the funded project. The report should include a complete financial accounting as well as interim -or final -project results.

9.At the conclusion of the project, a summary report must either be submitted for publication to The Express, the newsletter of MCMLA or presented as a paper or poster at the next MCMLA Annual Meeting. Recognition of the MidContinental Chapter'ssupport must be given in any publications originating from this project.

10.Applications will be acknowledged upon receipt.

11.Depending on the review of the received applications, the Committee may recommend that awards not be presented in a given year. The MCMLA Research Stipend is a cash prize of $1000. In accordance with IRS guidelines, MCMLA considers the $1000 cash prize as taxable income. The winner will be required to submit a completed IRS W9 form, if the winner has a US Social Security number, or an IRS 8233 form, if the winner does not have a US Social Security number, and will receive a 1099 form or 1042S form in January of the following year after the stipend has been awarded.

How to Apply

Prepare your proposal as a separate word processing document. Identify the numbered sections of the proposal and double-space between sections. The proposal should be no more than 6 pages in length, not including the cover sheet, references, timeline, budget, or tables.

Research Proposal Instructions

Please prepare your research proposal according to the following outline:

1.Cover Sheet:

Title of proposed research project;

Name, institutional affiliation, position, mailing address, phone,and email address for each person associated with the project.

2.Project Description:

Abstract: Provide a brief description of the research project.

Introduction and Research Question:Provide a brief introduction of your research topic and a clear statement of the research problem and research question. Should include the major concepts, goals, and significance of the proposed study.

Literature Review: Provide a brief overview of the scholarly literature related to your research proposal.

Significance of Research:Describe the significance of the research project to library practice or the profession of health sciences librarianship.

Proposed Approach and Methodology: Describe the proposed research methodology and study population and enclose a copy of any proposed research instrument.

Timeline: Provide a timeline for the project that specifies the major stages of the project, their anticipated completion dates, and members of the research team responsible for each.

Budget: Provide an estimated budget for the project that specifies how the funding will be used with a narrative justification for each item. If other outside funding is obtained (or proposed), indicate how that funding will be spent. Funding may not be used for institutional overhead.

3.Disseminating Results:

Describe the plan for disseminating research results, which must include a summary report for publication in The Express, the newsletter of MCMLA, or a presentation/poster at the MCMLA Annual Meeting.