Carnegie-Whitney Grant

The Carnegie-Whitney Grant is administered by the American Library Association through its Publishing Committee and is rooted in a historic fund established by Andrew Carnegie in 1902, later expanded through a merger with a fund created by James Lyman Whitney in 1910. The purpose of this grant program is to support the creation of bibliographic and research tools that enhance access to knowledge within libraries across the United States. These tools include reading lists, indexes, webliographies, and other resource guides designed to improve the usability and discoverability of library collections for a wide range of audiences. The primary objective of the Carnegie-Whitney Grant is to stimulate the use of library resources by funding projects that produce high-quality, broadly accessible reference materials. Projects may be either scholarly or popular in nature but must demonstrate clear utility for library users and show potential for national distribution. The program emphasizes innovation in organizing and presenting information in ways that meet contemporary needs within the library field, particularly those that address gaps in existing bibliographic tools or improve access to underutilized resources. Funding is provided in amounts up to 5000 dollars per award, with the number and size of grants determined annually by the Publishing Committee. The grant is intended to support preparation costs associated with developing the proposed product, including research, compilation, and writing activities. Allowable expenses may include support staff stipends, consulting services, travel related to the project, software, and other necessary materials. However, the grant explicitly excludes costs associated with final production, such as printing, manufacturing, or online hosting and distribution of the completed work. Eligibility for the Carnegie-Whitney Grant is broad and inclusive, encompassing individuals as well as organizations such as libraries, library associations, academic programs in library and information science, and affiliated groups of the American Library Association. International applicants are also permitted to apply, provided that their proposed projects are focused on American libraries and serve users within the United States. Projects must be new or in progress at the time of application and must not be completed works, under contract for publication, or tied to academic degree requirements. Applicants are required to submit a comprehensive proposal package via email in a single PDF file. This package must include an application cover sheet, a detailed narrative describing the project’s purpose, scope, audience, and activities, a work plan with a timeline for completion within two years, a dissemination plan outlining how results will be shared, a budget with justification, resumes of project personnel, and two professional reference letters per applicant. The narrative must also address evaluation methods and demonstrate the qualifications of the project team. Projects are evaluated based on several criteria, including their relevance to American libraries, their potential to increase the use of library resources, their appeal to a broad audience, and their suitability for national distribution. Additionally, proposals must clearly identify a need for publication and provide a feasible plan for completion within the specified timeframe. Successful applicants are expected to complete their projects within two years and adhere to the responsibilities outlined by the American Library Association. The application deadline for the current cycle is November 6, 2026. The program operates on an annual cycle, with awards granted once per year. While specific notification timelines are not detailed, applicants should anticipate a review process conducted by the Publishing Committee following the submission deadline. All materials must be submitted electronically to the designated program email, and incomplete applications will not be considered.

Emphasize national relevance broad usability and clear dissemination plan; ensure project is not completed or under contract