The purpose of this grant is to provide support for research, development, or demonstration projects that will help to promote excellence in the field of health sciences librarianship and information sciences. Grants will not be given to support an activity that is operational in nature or has only local usefulness. Applicants must hold a graduate degree in library science, be a practicing health sciences librarian/professional with at least two years of professional experience, and be a member of the Medical Library Association. In the case of a research group, at least one person in the group must be an MLA member and meet the aforementioned criteria. Consideration may be given in exceptional cases to an outstanding candidate not meeting all the criteria. The scope and nature of the proposed project should give evidence of an established methodology and a viable research design. The application should show how the proposed project would contribute conceptually and practically to the applicant/group's competence and the well being of the library community. The proposal should contain title, goals, objectives, methodology, significance, and budget of the project; vital and special qualifications of the research; knowledge of the state of the art and existing published literature on the proposed research topic; and proposed means of disseminating the results. Applicants must submit the names of two references who are not related to them or the group and who are knowledgeable about the applicant/group's character, education, and abilities. Grant recipients are expected to submit a copy of the final report of their research to MLA with the understanding that MLA has the "first right of review" for publication. If the report is not accepted by MLA and is subsequently published by another publisher, recognition of association support must be given. Please visit the award's website for more information.