MLA Future Pathways Grant Program

Formerly known as the Equity Fund Grant, the Future Pathways Grant was overhauled and updated guidelines were approved by the MLA Board in December 2023. Applications are now open and will be considered for the July 2024 deadline.

Through the Future Pathways Grant Program, MLA affirms our commitment to equity, diversity, accessibility, and belonging and demonstrates our commitment to empowering underrepresented individuals in the library community. By reducing financial barriers to career advancement, Future Pathways Grants aim to encourage the participation, engagement, and leadership of racially and ethnically diverse library workers in the library profession and MLA.

The MLA Future Pathways grants will be used as an individual grant geared toward the professional development of individuals currently underrepresented in the library profession. This fund will reduce financial barriers and uplift the professional development for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, North African, and Middle Eastern individuals by providing resources to be used for memberships, attendance at workshops, educational events or conferences of applicants’ choosing, or for other purposes that they believe increase their ability to impact and transform the library profession.

For complete eligibility requirements, restrictions, and selection criteria, see the Future Pathways Guidelines (pdf). Applications will be reviewed twice per year. Beginning in 2025, deadlines for submission will be January 15 and July 15. Applications are now open and will be considered for the July 15, 2024 deadline only.

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