Visual Resources Association Foundation Professional Development Grant

Purpose:

The purpose of the VRAF Professional Development grant is to support professional development in the field of visual resources and image management. The grant will support attendance at an educational event of the grantee’s choosing (such as an association conference, symposium or workshop), or engagement in relevant research activities (such as publications and/or fieldwork). In recognition of the differing professional development needs for an emerging professional and an established career professional, two awards will be funded. One grant will be awarded to a student or new professional who has up to five years of experience in the field, and the other grant will be designated for a career professional with six or more years of experience. At the discretion of the VRAF Board and with approval of the applicant, an application may be moved to a different category that better fits the experience criteria or the applicant can choose to withdraw the application

Although the specific criteria for the grant may change from year to year in order to provide support for a range of experiences and community members, with the 2012-2013 awards we encourage the VR community to consider opportunities at any visual resources-related professional development venue.

The VRAF Professional Development Grant is part of the Foundation's mission to advance awareness of critical issues for effective digital information management (including intellectual property and copyright); to encourage the application of professional standards, innovative technology, and metadata cataloging protocols; and to facilitate workplace training. The VRA Foundation supports a range of educational offerings to help ensure that such information reaches a diverse, global audience.

Award Amount:

Each of the two 2012-2013 awards will provide a grant of $850. The grant is for use between September 1, 2012 and August 31, 2013.

Eligibility:

The grant is open to all visual resource professionals, including retirees and those currently unemployed. The Foundation also encourages students seeking educational, training, and research opportunities in support of broad access to cultural information, to apply. Membership in the Visual Resources Association is not required. Each applicant’s financial statement of need will be considered, together with other applications for funding for the same event or project, which must be disclosed by the applicant.

Grant monies may be used for:

• transportation
• registration/tuition
• accommodations
• meals
• research
• expenses

Application Deadline and Decision Announcement:

Applications for the 2012-2013 grants due: Friday, July 20, 2012
Award decision public announcement: August 31, 2012

Guidelines and Application Form: http://vrafoundation.org.s119319.gridserver.com/index.php/grants/professional_development_grant/

Application Form:
http://vrafoundation.org/downloads/VRAF_PDGrantCall_for_Applic2012.doc
http://vrafoundation.org/downloads/VRAF_PDGrantCall_for_Applic2012.pdf

Completed applications, as well as any preliminary questions, should be sent via e-mail to:
Alix Reiskind, VRA Foundation Board Director [log in to unmask]