MLA Future Pathways Grant Program

Through the Future Pathways Grant Program, funded entirely by donations, 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.

MLA affirms its commitment to diversity and inclusion by seeking the broadest participation of racially and ethnically diverse librarians and library support staff who provide leadership in the transformation of libraries and library services.

For complete eligibility requirements, restrictions, and selection criteria, see the Future Pathways Guidelines (pdf). Applications will be reviewed twice per year. Deadlines for submission are January 15 and July 15.

Submit completed application packets using the online form below.

Submit an Application