BRASS Student Travel Award Opportunity, American Library Association

Posted February 2, 2026

Established in 1992, this $1,250 monetary prize is given to a student enrolled in an ALA accredited master’s degree program to fund travel to and attendance at the ALA Annual Conference and a one-year membership in the Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) of RUSA. This award is sponsored by SimplyAnalytics.

Criteria:

Applicants should have demonstrated interest in a career as a business reference librarian, and a potential to be a leader in the profession as demonstrated by activities that may include (but are not limited to) coursework, internships, jobs, special projects, and publications.

In addition to attending the conference, the winner is required to participate in BRASS activities at ALA conference and to write a brief statement about conference experiences for RUSA Update . The winner may not accept a concurrent ALA-sponsored travel award.

*Monetary award amounts are subject to change without notice and are contingent upon donor funding supplied at the time the award is presented.

How to Apply:

• Applicants must complete the nomination form, and follow the submission instructions therein.
• Nominations will be accepted through February 20, 2026.
• Questions should be directed to the committee chair, Maggie Marchant at [email protected].

Submit the following materials:

1. Personal statement (1-2 pages) summarizing your academic and professional achievements, your interest in the award and business librarianship, any steps you have taken to grow in this area, and any additional relevant professional experience.
2. A copy of your current resume
3. A copy of your library school transcript
4. Two letters of reference