NNLM Region 5 Collection Equity Outreach Award

Posted by Michele Spatz on July 7th, 2021 Posted in: Health Literacy, News from NNLM Region 5
Tags: consumer health, Funding, health literacy, libraries

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The Network of the National Library of Medicine Region 5 under cooperative agreement with the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), announces the availability of funding through Collection Equity Outreach Awards to fund collection development that amplifies diverse voices writing on health/medical topics or that include a health or medical issue as an integral narrative theme. Such collection development efforts are important to ensure equitable access to health information and promote health literacy and support programmatic outreach in underrepresented or marginalized communities.

The Awards are designed to help build collections that are reflective of voices of the communities served which may be revealed through different genres such as graphic medicine, fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, Young Adult, manuscripts (published and unpublished), oral histories and film. Expanding diverse voices in libraries (all types), public health agencies, academic programs, or community organizations ensure collection equity and supports health literacy by illuminating health issues either common, or conversely, unique to underserved populations in the region.

Specifically, the Collection Equity Outreach Award seeks to address one or more of the following aims from the NNLM Region 5 cooperative agreement and supports NLM’s mission to provide U.S. researchers, health professionals, public health workforce, educators, and the public with equal access to biomedical and health information resources and data.

• Advance health equity through national and regional partnerships and initiatives to ensure a variety of members and the public will have equal access to biomedical, health, and public health information and data.
• Administer funding awards to support a highly trained workforce for biomedical and health information resources and data, improve health literacy, and increase health equity through information.

Eligibility

Applicants must be from institutions that are members of NNLM Region 5. Membership is free and open to institutions interested in improving equitable access to health information. To verify your membership, find out your NNLM ID or to apply for membership, contact Outreach and Access Coordinator Emily Hamstra via email: ehamstra@uw.edu.

Funds from this award must be used for purchase of materials and resources from any genre that amplify diverse voices writing on health/medical topics or that include a health or medical issue as an integral narrative theme.

Funding

Funding Period: September 15, 2021 – April 30, 2022

Amount:  $1,500

Number of Awards Available: Minimum of 15

Application

Step 1: Send an email stating your intent to apply by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on August 2, 2021 to nnlm@uw.edu. Include the name of your library/organization and your intent to apply for the Collection Equity Award.

Step 2: Download this Application Form and submit the completed Application Form to nnlm@uw.edu by the Application Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, August 19, 2021

Note:

• Applications submitted by 5:00pm Pacific Time, August 19, 2021, will receive first consideration.
• The NNLM Region 5 staff will acknowledge your application when received, and notification of awards will be given by September 15, 2021.

Budget Guidelines:

• Award is $1,500. A lump sum payment will be issued upon submission of a completed invoice. The invoice template will be provided by Region 5 staff.

Evaluation of Applications

Applications will be reviewed by: NNLM Region 5 staff and external reviewers.

Reviewers will score applications based on the following categories and criteria.

1. SIGNIFICANCE (60 points): The proposal:
   1. clearly defines the target populations it is meant to serve; and
   2. provides evidence of need.
2. PROJECT PLAN (20 points): The project plan:
   1. demonstrates potential to increase access to biomedical and health information for defined target populations; and
   2. describes an effective publicity/promotion strategy.
3. EVALUATION (20 points): The evaluation plan is clear and uses sound methodology.

REPORTING: The applicant agrees to the reporting requirement. This is an inclusion/exclusion criterion. Applicants lacking this element will be disqualified.

Additional Information

Reporting: 

A final report is required no later than May 27, 2022, which consists of a bibliography of the resources purchased. The citation format will be provided to awardees.

NIH Acknowledgement:

Any resource developed with project funds must include an acknowledgment of NIH grant support and a disclaimer stating the following:

“Developed resources reported in this [publications, press releases, internet sites] are supported by the National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under cooperative agreement number UG4LM013725. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.”

Need additional information or help?

Michele Spatz, Outreach and Engagement Coordinator, NNLM Region 5, nnlm@uw.edu  Telephone: 206-543-8262