Grants
ALA Grants
Each year, ALA and its member units award a variety of grants to provide funding or material support for current and future activities. Grants support the planning and implementation of programs, aid in the preparation of a dissertation or other publications, and promote research in library and information sciences.
Historic ALA Grants
ALA has a long history of providing grants to support libraries and library-related initiatives across the United States. Although these Historic ALA Grants are no longer offered, they have played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of libraries in America, fostering innovation, promoting literacy, and ensuring access to information for all members of society.
Upcoming grant opportunities
State library and school library association chapters and state library agencies are encouraged to apply to receive a $10,000 grant to establish or bolster a statewide Intellectual Freedom Helpline.
The Frances Henne Research Grant annually provides $1,000 in seed money for small scale research or action research projects that respond to the YALSA Research Agenda. This grant is administered by YALSA.
Travel grants will be awarded annually to five black/African American youth/teen services public or school librarians for the purpose of attending the ALA Annual conference.
City of Beaumont Public Library System Receives 2026 ALSC/Candlewick Press Light the Way Grant
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has announced the City of Beaumont Public Library System as the recipient of the 2026 ALSC/Candlewick Press "Light the Way: Outreach to the Underserved" Grant.
Dr. Robbie Barber chosen as the 2026 recipient of the LIRT Librarian Recognition Award
The Library Instruction Round Table (LIRT) is pleased to announce that Dr. Robbie Barber has been selected as the recipient of the 2025-2026 LIRT Librarian Recognition Award.
Bellevue School District Libraries chosen as the 2026 recipient of the LIRT Innovation in Instruction Award
The Library Instruction Round Table announced that the 2025-2026 Innovation in Instruction Award will be presented to the Bellevue School District Libraries at Lake Hills Elementary School, Bellevue Digital Discovery, and Cherry Crest Elementary School.
2026 Jesse H. Shera Award for the Support of Dissertation Research
The Library Research Round Table is pleased to announce the 2026 Jesse H. Shera Award for the Support of Dissertation Research:
Deeth Ellis, Simmons University
Examining the Enactment of School Librarian Leadership Practices using Distributed Leadership Theory: A Mixed Methods Study
Grant-Writing Resources from ALA Editions
Combining easy‐to‐understand advice with a toolkit of practical worksheets and checklists, this book offers a proven, immediately applicable method for success that will enable libraries to find the funding and resources they need.
By lifting the veil on the mysteries of grantseeking, this book will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to create fundable grant proposals.
Using this guide, librarians, fundraisers, and researchers will find quick, convenient access to information on the most likely funding sources for libraries.
A practical and comprehensive manual that guides you through grant fundamentals.
Frequently asked questions
Each grant offered by ALA has different eligibility requirements, including whether a recipient needs to be a current member of ALA and/or the awarding unit. You can find eligibility requirements on each grant's information page.
Read each grant's criteria closely and follow the directions precisely. Be sure to tailor your application to those criteria.
For more guidance on writing successful grant proposals, check out these resources:
