Funding
Description of Award
The mission of the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public's health by providing U.S. researchers, health professionals, public health workforce, educators, and the public with equal access to biomedical and health information resources and data.
The Network National of Library of Medicine Region 7 under cooperative agreement with the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), announces the availability of funding through Collection Improvement Awards to fund collection development that addresses health/medical topics or that include a health or medical issue as an integral narrative theme. Such collection development efforts are important to ensure access to health information, promote health literacy and support programmatic outreach in under-resourced communities.
The Awards are designed to help build collections that are reflective of health information needs or health/medical topics of the communities served which may be revealed through different genres such as graphic medicine, fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, Young Adult, manuscripts (published and unpublished), oral histories and film. Expanding health/medical collections in libraries (all types), public health agencies, academic programs, or community organizations ensures timely collections and supports health literacy by illuminating health issues either common, or conversely, unique to populations in the region.
Specifically, the Collection Improvement Award seeks to address one or more of the following aims from the NNLM Region 7 cooperative agreement and supports NLM’s mission to provide U.S. researchers, health professionals, public health workforce, educators, and the public with equal access to biomedical and health information resources and data.
- Advance health through national and regional partnerships and initiatives to ensure a variety of members and the public will have equal access to biomedical, health, and public health information and data.
- Collection materials must align with regional or national priorities or emerging/regional health issues.
- Administer funding awards to support a highly trained workforce for biomedical and health information resources and data, improve health literacy, and increase health through information.
Applicants must be from institutions that are members of NNLM Region 7. Membership is free and open to institutions interested in improving equitable access to health information. To verify your membership, find out your NNLM ID or to apply for membership, contact NNLM Region 7 (email: nnlm-region7@umassmed.edu).
Funds from this award must be used for purchase of materials and resources from any genre that builds collections that are reflective of health information needs or health/medical topics of the communities served or that include a health or medical issue as an integral narrative theme and align with regional or national priorities or emerging/regional health issue.
Academic libraries are not eligible for this award.
Application Instructions
Step 1: https://www.nnlm.gov/form/collection-improvement-form
Step 2: Submit the completed Application Form to nnlm-region7@umassmed.edu by 11:59am EST on March 14, 2025
Note:
- Applications submitted by 11:59am EST on March 14, 2025, will receive first consideration.
- The NNLM Region 7 staff will acknowledge your application when received, and notification of awards on a rolling basis.
Budget Guidelines:
- Award is $2,000. A lump sum payment will be issued upon submission of a completed invoice. The invoice template will be provided by Region 7 staff.
Additional Information
Section 508 requires that all website content be accessible to people with disabilities. This applies to web applications, web pages and all attached files on the intranet, as well as, internet. The National Library of Medicine is a part of the National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Recipients of National Library of Medicine funding through the NNLM must meet all requirements under Section 508. Information on 508 Compliance.
A final report is required no later than April 15, 2025, which consists of a spreadsheet of the resources purchased.
Any resource developed with project funds must include an acknowledgment of NIH grant support and a disclaimer stating the following:
“Developed resources reported in this [publications, press releases, internet sites] are supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4LM013725. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health."
Application Review and Scoring Criteria
Applications will be reviewed by: NNLM Region 7 staff.
Reviewers will score applications based on the following categories and criteria.
- SIGNIFICANCE (60 points): The proposal:
- clearly defines the target populations it is meant to serve; and
- provides evidence of need.
- PROJECT PLAN (20 points): The project plan:
- demonstrates potential to increase access to biomedical and health information for defined target populations; and
- describes an effective publicity/promotion strategy.
- EVALUATION (20 points): The evaluation plan is clear and uses sound methodology.
REPORTING: The applicant agrees to the reporting requirement. This is an inclusion/exclusion criterion. Applicants lacking this element will be disqualified.