Funding Opportunity: ARL receives new grant for diversity recruitment

This press release about ARL's new diversity-related grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services just came through my Google Reader. This program (see ARL Diversity Programs) is similar to LAMP in that it offers financial and mentoring support for students from under-represented groups seeking to attend library school. It appears that the program intends to provide career counseling and other support services to graduates as well.

Here's a sample from the press release. The whole thing can be found at http://www.arl.org/news/pr/IRDW-grant-17June10.shtml

"ARL Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce Awarded IMLS Grant

Washington DC--The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has been awarded a grant by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Laura Bush 21st-Century Librarian Program in the amount of $543,014 to fund the next iteration of the Initiative to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW). The IRDW will provide support for graduate school in library and information science and other professional development opportunities to 30 students from traditionally underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups over the next three years. Recruitment for the program will focus on students with academic training in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines. Participants in the IRDW, known as ARL Diversity Scholars, receive a generous compensation package over the course of two years and numerous other benefits..."

Check out ARL Diversity Programs if you're interested in applying to the Initiation to Recruit a Diverse Workforce (IRDW) or other scholarships.