The LAUC-LA Committee on Research and Professional Development is pleased to issue the Call for the LAUC-LA Mini-Grant fund requests. Although we are distributing the CALL via e-mail and welcome email responses, signed requests must also be submitted in paper format.

LAUC-LA MINI-GRANTS PROGRAM

Initiated in 1986 by LAUC-LA, the mini-grants program is designed to encourage librarians to develop research ideas by awarding not more than $500 for each proposal. The LAUC-LA Mini-Grants program is separate from the Statewide LAUC Mini-Grants and Presentation Grants, though the criteria are similar. LAUC-LA Mini-Grant applications are reviewed and administered locally, and are accepted and approved throughout the year, funds permitting.

GUIDELINES

I. Goals

To encourage and support librarians' research by providing competitive monetary awards of not more than $500 each.

II. Program Description

The program is designed in part as an adjunct to the statewide research grants program. As such, it is expected that awards may be used to assist librarians in the preparation of full-scale research proposals. However, the LAUC-LA Committee on Research and Professional Development will also consider proposals that assist librarians in bringing projects to completion. Examples of the former include, but are not limited to, the following: computer searches, research assistance, consultant services, photocopying, and purchase of software. Examples of the latter include, but are not limited to, the following: data analysis, manuscript preparation, and costs associated with the dissemination of research results via conference presentations or publication.

Mini-grants will be considered for projects that need not be solely limited to librarianship and information science; scholarly projects related to a librarian's area of expertise will also be eligible. Generally speaking, these projects would be of a type and nature appropriate for inclusion under the category of Research and Other Creative Activity in the review criteria for the University of California Librarian Series.

III. Application and Review Procedures

The applicant submits a proposal to the Chair of the Research and Professional Development Committee describing the nature and purpose of the work being proposed, a description of the estimated timeline, and an estimated cost. The application may be in the form of a letter to the Committee.

The final date for submitting proposals is June 11, 2012.

Proposals will be considered by the Committee, and a decision will be communicated in writing to the applicants. Recipients must spend their awards by June 30, 2013.

Depending upon the number of applications, and the funding available, it is possible that not all mini-grant proposals can be funded.

Please note that one paper copy (with the required signatures) AND an email copy of your proposal must be submitted to Sócrates Silva 2011/2012 Chair of the LAUC-LA Committee on Research and Professional Development.

If you have any questions about the process or would like someone to help with your proposal, you may contact a member of the LAUC-LA Committee on Research and Professional Development:

• Socrates Silva, Chair
• Marsha Kmec
• Julie Kwan
• Michael Oppenheim
• Lise Snyder