CLRC is happy to provide awards to our members for professional development opportunities.

The Professional Development Awards are typically small grants that help support attendance at local or regional conferences and workshops. Funds may also be requested to underwrite a portion of the cost of attending a larger conference or event. This includes attendance of virtual webinars, workshops, and conferences. Please carefully review the rules and requirements listed below before submitting your application.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and candidates can expect a response within three weeks of submitting their application. Please apply at least three weeks prior to the event you would like the grant to support.

Rules and Requirements

  • Candidates must be employed at an information organization that is a member of the Central New York Library Resources Council. View our member directory here.
  • Candidates must not have received an award from CLRC within the past year. Generally, we will not fund the same applicant attending the same conference multiple years in a row.
  • Candidates must submit their resume and a letter of support from their supervisor.
  • Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
  • Please submit one application per person. For example, if you plan on attending a conference with a colleague each person should have their own separate application.
  • Awards are capped at $500 for attendees of a conference or event and $700 for presenters at a conference or event. Click here to download an expense estimate spreadsheet.
  • CLRC may award the full amount requested or only a part. In either case, the applicant must use the award for the stated purpose.
  • Funds will be provided on submission of receipts after the purchase or event takes place. For certain travel expenses, CLRC may be able to provide funding in advance or purchase directly (but this must be discussed in advance). We do not provide per diem funding (meals or other incidental expenses). Receipts must be submitted to Rebecca Kluberdanz Honsinger at rhonsinger@clrc.org.
  • Receipts must be accompanied by a report, which CLRC may share, detailing the benefits of the event or opportunity. Images and graphics are encouraged (including you at the event/opportunity). View the Conference Takeaways below or download the report from CLRC’s first Professional Development Award recipient, Ruth Owens, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, to get a sense of what should be included. Reports must be submitted via Google Forms.
  • The deadline to submit your report and receipts is 30 business days from the last day of the event. You risk not being reimbursed if your documents are submitted after that date.

Forms

Questions?

Email Us

Load more