September 10, 2025
Grant recipients will obtain as much as $3,000 to place towards bills related to attending the American Library Affiliation convention.
The American Library Affiliation (ALA) has opened its software for the 2026 Jason Reynolds / Simon & Schuster Journey Grant.
The ALA grant, named after the youngsters’s writer, presents help to Black or African American youth and teenage companies librarians. Moreover, help is obtainable to highschool media specialists, who’re a part of public or college libraries. As much as 5 recipients might be awarded a variety from $1,500 to $3,000.
The grant covers prices related to attending the 2026 ALA Annual Convention & Exhibition in Chicago, together with journey, lodge, convention registration, and entry to the Coretta Scott King Award Breakfast. Purposes are being accepted till Dec. 15, 2025. The 5 grant recipients might be introduced on Feb. 16, 2026. Awardees will even obtain recognition through the Coretta Scott King Awards Breakfast on the ALA Annual Convention.
Funding for the grant is supplied by Simon & Schuster and is run by the ALA.
In a press launch, famed youngsters’s writer Reynolds acknowledged the importance of this help for the Black neighborhood. He conveyed his gratitude for the prospect to present again.
“I’m humbled by the chance to present again to a few of the of us who’ve given a lot, not simply to me however to our kids. I acknowledge that this convention is greater than an excellent time, but additionally a obligatory tuning fork to make sure our librarians, whether or not new to the stacks or seasoned veterans, get the encouragement and inspiration essential to proceed to pour into our communities,” Reynolds stated.
This isn’t the ALA’s first time investing within the Black literary neighborhood. In 2025, the affiliation supplied related help aimed to allow Black or African American youth and teenage companies librarians to attend the ALA Convention in Philadelphia. Because the ALA continues to help variety and illustration amongst library professionals, this grant exhibits a significant method to put money into those that will educate future generations. candidates can discover extra data on-line by way of the ALA web site.
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