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Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) Paul Evan Peters Scholarship

Posted March 20, 2026

The Paul Evan Peters Scholarship was established to honor and perpetuate the memory of Paul Evan Peters (1947-1996), founding executive director of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI). The scholarship assists students pursuing graduate studies in the information sciences, librarianship, or a closely related field, that advance the frontiers of digital information and technology. 

Criteria

Highest consideration will be given to candidates pursuing graduate degrees in librarianship, the information sciences, or a closely related field, whose application materials can directly address the following selection criteria to demonstrate intellectual and personal qualities consistent with those of Paul Evan Peters:

  • A commitment to the use of digital information and advanced technology to enhance scholarship, intellectual productivity, and public life
  • An interest in the civic responsibilities of information professionals, and a commitment to democratic values
  • A positive and creative approach to overcoming personal, technological, and bureaucratic challenges
  • Humor, vision, humanity, and imagination

Two scholarships will be awarded in 2026 (academic year 2026-27):

  • One to a doctoral student in the amount of $5,000 per year, awarded up to two consecutive years
  • One to a master’s student in the amount of $2,500 per year, awarded up to two consecutive years

Applications are due by April 24 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Eligibility

Scholarship applicants will be assessed on how well they meet the academic and personal criteria for the scholarship, not on financial need, and they must meet all eligibility requirements:

  • Each applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
  • Each applicant must be entering or enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in information science or librarianship at an accredited U.S. university, or a program that has received American Library Association (ALA) accreditation (including reciprocal), or one that is a member of the iSchools iCaucus. Students in other, closely related disciplines may also be considered, provided that the course of study relates directly to information management/studies.
  • Staff, officers, and families of CNI, the Association of Research Libraries, and EDUCAUSE as well as previous recipients are not eligible to apply.

If awarded the scholarship, recipients must complete at least six credit hours of coursework per semester during the year(s) the scholarship is awarded. Recipients must submit an official transcript to the selection committee at the end of the first year of the award (no later than July 1), demonstrating good progress toward the graduate degree (e.g., remaining in good academic standing as defined by the institution). The selection committee retains the right to terminate the award after one year if good progress is not demonstrated; otherwise the scholarship is automatically renewed for the second year.

Application Procedure & Deadlines

The 2026 application is now open at: https://my.reviewr.com/site/CNI-PEPScholarship-2026

Applications are due by April 24 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

You must create a Reviewr account and submit your application via the Reviewr platform. Emails from the platform will come from [email protected].

To be eligible for consideration, ALL of the following items must be received by CNI by the stated deadline:

  • A 300–500-word essay explaining how the applicant’s qualifications, intellectual interests, and academic and career objectives relate to the scholarship criteria. The essay must include a discussion of how the applicant will advance scholarship in digital information and advanced technology and apply his or her knowledge to problems of scholarship, intellectual productivity, or public life.
  • A curriculum vitae or resume that includes the applicant’s contact information, including phone number and email address.
  • Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can directly address the applicant’s academic and personal qualifications for the scholarship (e.g., faculty members, work supervisors, or others). Letters that specifically address how the candidate fulfills the award criteria will be given the highest consideration.
    • The application should include contact information for two recommenders, who will receive an email invitation from [email protected] to submit a letter on your behalf. Please alert your reviewers to look for an email request from [email protected]. CONTACT US if reviewers have not received the request within one day of submitting your application.
    • The deadline for applications is April 24. We’ve built in additional time for recommenders to submit letters by May 6.

Finalists will be notified and asked to submit:

  • A copy of their letter of acceptance into a graduate program in information science or librarianship, or a closely related field (see eligibility requirements)
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (a photocopy of a birth certificate, passport, or residency card)
  • An official transcript will be requested if the applicant has already completed courses toward the graduate degree

The call for scholarship applicants occurs every two years; the next cycle will be in 2028.

Questions? Contact us at [email protected].

Selection Process

A scholarship selection committee made up of volunteer CNI member representatives and organized by CNI will evaluate applications based on scholarship criteria and candidate eligibility. CNI staff will select the recipients based on the committee recommendations. One recipient will be selected for each category (masters and doctoral) and notified no later than August 2026.

Opportunities for Current Students Scholarship