March 1, 2027

ALA David H. Clift Scholarship

Direct application

$3,000

Eligibility

Major
Library Information Science
Education level
Graduate

About this scholarship

U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents pursuing an MLS in an ALA-accredited program may apply for the ALA David H. Clift Scholarship. Applicants must have no more than 12 semester hours toward the MLS, MLIS, or MIS completed before June 1 of the award year.

Recipients receive $3,000 annually. The number of awards varies.

Submit a personal statement, three references, official bachelor's degree transcripts, and the complete online ALA application. Recipients are contacted by phone after June 1; other applicants are notified by email after July 1.

The scholarship is named for a former director of the American Library Association.

Essay question

What else to submit

  • Complete online ALA application
  • Personal statement (maximum 300 words)
  • Three professional references
  • Official bachelor's degree transcripts
  • Single online application through the ALA Scholarship Program (one personal statement for all general scholarships)
  • Three professional references on the official online form
  • Official transcript from bachelor's degree-granting institutions and any master's-level library science work
  • Application, personal statement, and references must be received by March 1