MLA Conference Grants

Apply for a conference grant to attend our 2026 conference at Thomas College! The intent of this scholarship is to ease the financial burden of conference attendance, in order to make the conference more equitable and inclusive. This year we are offering full grants, covering registration and up to two nights of lodging in a suite at Thomas College, which is a single bedroom with a shared bathroom and common area. We encourage you to advocate for continuing education budgets at your institution.

To apply, you must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant is a member of the Maine Library Association (or will be by May 2026).

2. The applicant is currently employed by a library or media center in Maine; or is a student pursuing a degree in Library Science; or is seeking a position at a library or media center in Maine. 

3. The applicant’s institutional budget does not offer enough, or any, professional development funding. 

4. The applicant is willing to provide a brief testimony about their conference experience to be used for future conference promotion. 

Grant recipients are expected to sign up for a shift at the registration desk or as a room monitor. Priority will be given to those who have not received a scholarship in the previous three years, and to those planning to present at the conference. Awarded funds will be applied directly to the applicant's registration and will include up to two nights of lodging. Grants are overseen, administered, and conferred by the Scholarship Committee. The Committee reserves the right to award all, part, or none of the amount requested. 

Application Instructions

Complete online application form. The application includes a long form question that requires applicants to describe financial barriers that prevent them from attending the conference. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The 2026 application deadline is March 31, 2026.

Materials submitted will be held in confidence by the Committee and become the property of the Maine Library Association.

Please send any questions to:

Anna Faherty
Scholarship & Grant Committee
secretary@mainelibraries.org