Skip to content

Conference Scholarships

The SLA Board offered Awards for students and recent graduates of undergraduate and graduate library and information science programs to attend the SLA Annual Conference at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 7–10, 2025. There were up to 15 Awards offered. Each award includes conference registration coordinated directly with SLA Staff and a cash stipend in the amount of 2,000 USD. The cash stipend will be granted as a lump sum without a requirement of receipts. All other expenses connected with conference attendance are the responsibility of the awardee.

After the conference, awardees will be required to write a summary or impressions of the conference for publication in Information Outlook or make a webinar presentation, and to volunteer with an SLA Community or on an SLA Committee, Subcommittee, or Working Group.

Applicants must complete an application form by March 31, 2025 and write an essay of 500-1000 words about how their attendance will benefit their career and/or how their attendance will benefit SLA.  Please upload completed applications and essays in the form below..

Applications and essays will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee and awards are expected to be granted by April 18, 2025.

For questions about the award, please contact the Scholarship Committee.

Criteria to apply for the 2025 SLA Conference Travel Scholarship

Criteria to Apply

  • Must commit to attending the 2025 SLA Annual Conference at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
  • Must be a graduate since May 2024 or be currently enrolled in a post-secondary study program of Library/Information Science.
  • May not have received funding from SLA HQ or an SLA Community in 2024 or 2025. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis; please contact the Scholarship Committee with specific questions.
    • Preference will be given to applicants who have never received funding from SLA.
    • Applicants who have applied or intend to apply for another SLA-sponsored scholarship prior to the 2025 Annual Conference, including those sponsored by any SLA Community, must inform the Scholarship Committee of the other application.
  • May not be a member of the Scholarship Working Group or the SLA Board of Directors.
  • Preference shall be given to those who display an aptitude for and interest in special library work.
  • Must write an essay of 500 - 1000 words about how attending the conference will benefit their career and their interest in and involvement with SLA. Generative AI tools cannot be used to write the essay.
  • Must submit a copy of résumé / CV with application.
  • Successful applicants shall be required to join SLA at the applicable rate if not already a member. Funds will be distributed following confirmation of membership.
  • Within six months of receiving the scholarship, successful applicants must write an article for Information Outlook or make a webinar presentation about their conference experience; how conference attendance impacted their education or career; and/or the value of the SLA scholarship.
  • Must commit to volunteering with an SLA Community or on an SLA Committee, Subcommittee, or Working Group in the 2025 and/or 2026 calendar year. Such participation may be facilitated and tracked by the Scholarship Committee.

The application for the 2025 Conference Scholarships is now closed.