ALIA research awards - guidelines for nominators
Introduction
As part of its role in fostering and encouraging research ALIA makes available a number of awards that offer members the opportunity to undertake research projects which can lead to improved library and information practice. Currently there are four ALIA research awards available, each being offered biennially:
These guidelines have been developed to assist you in preparing an application for an ALIA research award. The guidelines have been developed in three parts:
- Before developing your application
- Preparing your application
- Lodging your application
It is important to read through the guidelines carefully and use them in preparing your application.
A. Before developing your application
- You have identified a project you would like to undertake and intend to seek an ALIA research award. Think through your project carefully, discuss it with your colleagues and supervisor/manager. This will help you gauge the merit and possible benefits to the profession of undertaking such a project. Further it may help you decide which of ALIA's research awards you can most appropriately apply for.
- Learn as much about the award as you can - its purpose and the outcomes expected from a project supported by that award.
Contact ALIA awards if you need more information.
- Check your eligibility for the award.
In general you must be a current personal financial member of ALIA in order to apply for a research award but for some awards there are additional requirements as well.
- Know the closing date for applications.
Make sure you find out, well in advance, the date applications are due. You will then have time to prepare your application and further develop it as necessary. Remember the effort and thought you put into your application is an indicator of how you are approaching your project.
- Understand the particular criteria for the award.
In developing your application you will need to address the award criteria and demonstrate that your project will meet them.
- How much is the amount of the award?
You will need to take into account the dollar amount of the award in developing your project as this may influence the scope of your project or whether you will need to seek extra funding from another source.
- Before you develop your application become familiar with the nomination form for the particular research award you wish to apply for. You will then know what information and supporting material you will need to supply as part of your application. Nomination forms for each of the research awards are available on ALIAnet, linked to the particular award, and you may print these for reference.
- Read and understand the ALIA research awards terms and conditions. The term and conditions set out your obligations to ALIA should you receive a research award. They contain general information about reporting requirements, presentations on your research and what happens if you are unable to complete your project.
B. Preparing your application
- Once you have familiarised yourself with the criteria and other aspects of the award, you are ready to begin preparing your application. Make sure you have a copy of the nomination form for the award you are seeking as this will guide you in developing your application.
- Gather the necessary personal information which the association needs to process your application. The personal information required is set out on the nomination forms for research awards and, may include specific information that demonstrates your eligibility for a particular award. All personal information you supply as part of your application is used in accordance with our privacy statement.
- Make sure your resume or curriculum vitae is up-to-date as you will need to lodge this with your application.
- Prepare a detailed description of your project which addresses the specific criteria of the award you are seeking. Your statement will need to provide an outline of the research activities you intend to undertake including aims, objectives and outcomes, a schedule for the research, a realistic budget, anticipated benefits to the wider profession and an evaluation process. For more details on how to describe your project and what information you need to include, refer to How to write a research proposal
 which ALIA has developed to assist members in preparing applications such as these.
- Obtain referee reports (two-three) to support your application. Ideally your referees will have a good understanding of your current work and will also be able to attest to your capacity to undertake the research activities you are proposing. Frequently your referee will be your supervisor/manager and another senior professional who is familiar with your work and work experience, your interest and involvement in research.
- You may also provide other material which supports your application. This may be, but is not limited to letters of support from colleagues which can enhance referee reports. It may also contain information which sets out more generally your commitment to the profession and to ALIA as demonstrated through participation in association events and more. While such information is usefully, to be effective extra support material also needs to indicate your suitability to be considered for a research award.
C. Lodging your application
- When you have gathered all the necessary information and prepared the schedule, budget and description of your project, you are ready to lodge your application.
- Nomination forms for ALIA's research awards are available on the website. Click on the name of the award for which you are applying to access the form.
- You may use lodge your application electronically. Simply insert all the information you have prepared in the appropriate fields and when you have completed all fields on the nomination form, you will be able to lodge your application by clicking the Send it now button. (NB - your application will not submit successfully unless all fields on the nomination form have been completed).
- Alternately you may prefer to lodge your application by post. To do this print the nomination form from the website. Fill in as much of the form as practicable, attaching further information as necessary and post to:
The awards officer
Australian Library and Information Association
PO Box 6335
Kingston ACT 2604
- You will receive acknowledgement of receipt of your application by e-mail.
- If you have any queries about your award application contact ALIA awards .
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