National Library of Medicine Citizen Science Month Mini Grant Application

Anyone, anywhere can plan a Citizen Science Month program or effort, but we have a new opportunity for additional support! Libraries and library systems are invited to submit applications for the Citizen Science Month (CSM) Mini Grants of $5,000 to increase awareness of and engagement in Citizen Science Month events and supplemental programs. $5,000 grants will be awarded to thirteen U.S. libraries or library systems. Learn more about this opportunity and how to apply, below, and then access the application via a form.

Background

Libraries are quickly becoming hubs for citizen and community science. Your library may already be involved in citizen science programming. If so, bravo! For countless others, citizen and community science is still a bit of a mystery. We created many free resources to help you navigate the rapidly changing landscape, access materials, learn about projects and programs and explore a myriad of opportunities to support your plans to bring citizen science to your library!

Citizen science is:

  • A way for anyone, anywhere to engage in science, from monitoring water quality, tracking wildlife and insect species, analyzing and classifying images of galaxies and so much more.
  • A growing trend for fun, scientific engagement that libraries and community organizations won’t want to miss.
  • Accessible to people regardless of background, interests, skills or location.
  • A perfect addition to existing library programs, community-based organization activities, event calendars, inclusive options for seniors/adults/teens/families and more.
  • Free and easily accessible through SciStarter.org, featuring thousands of
    searchable projects.
  • An opportunity for collaborations between libraries and community organizations to leverage resources and increase engagement in authentic scientific research.
  • And a way to help people address local concerns that can inform decision-making and improve related policies

A great way to get started with citizen science is during Citizen Science Month: April 2021. SciStarter, the National Library of Medicine, Arizona State University, the Citizen Science Association and many other partners from around the world provide free resources, support and an event calendar to help you plan and promote your event.

 

All grantees must: 

Grants may be used to:

  • Promote Citizen Science Month using downloadable, customizable resources including bookmarks, flyers, posters, social media images, and other assets found at CitizenScienceMonth.org-resources or libraries can create their own CSM promotions.
  • Activate awareness of citizen science by boosting social media posts about Citizen Science Month events, programs and projects from the @SciStarter and @CitSciMonth accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and/or Facebook. 
  • Host, co-host, or promote a Citizen Science Month event in April. See free planning and promotional resources at CitizenScienceMonth.org-resources and “Citizen Science Month in a Box” on SciStarter.org/Library-resources.
  • Provide incentives to increase participation of CSM events and programs such as books (see book lists for ideas: General Citizen Science, Astronomy & Space, Pollinators), buttons, bookmarks, and more.
  • Engage patrons in citizen science projects found on SciStarter.org/NLM or other projects of interest to your community. Find thousands of projects to choose from by using the Project Finder on SciStarter and filter by location, audience, or topic. 
  • Educate patrons about the All of Us Research program by posting on social media, or presenting several slides about the All of Us Research Program at a general citizen science program.
  • Create and/or grow your citizen science book and video library collection, book lists can be found on SciStarter.org/library-resources.  

Deadline: Applications must be completed by 5:00 PM EST/ 2:00 PM PST on March 5, 2021.  Applicants will be notified of decisions by March 15, 2021.

CLICK TO ACCESS THE APPLICATION.

Join either of our information sessions to learn more about this opportunity! 

  • February 25, 2021  9:00AM – 10:00AM PACIFIC | 12:00PM – 1:00PM EASTERN
  • March 4, 2021  9:00AM – 10:00AM PACIFIC | 12:00PM – 1:00PM EASTERN

Call in information: 

+16465588656,264491167# US (New York)

+17207072699,264491167# US (Denver)

  • Dial by your location:

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

+1 720 707 2699 US (Denver) Meeting ID: 264 491 167

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adXFnyNd9N

Categories: Citizen Science Month, libraries, Library

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About the Author

Caroline Nickerson

Caroline Nickerson

Caroline Nickerson is an advisor at SciStarter, where she assists with the Citizen Science Month Program, SciStarter’s Corporate Volunteer Programs and other programmatic and outreach efforts. Caroline is a Master of Public Policy graduate from American University, where she was a Reilly Environmental Policy Scholar, and is a current PhD student at the University of Florida. She also works with the UF-VA Bioethics Unit, the Christensen Project, Florida Community Innovation and other organizations. She was the 2019 Cherry Blossom Princess representing the state of Florida and the grand prize scholarship winner at Miss Earth USA 2021 as Miss Louisiana Earth.