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:
- Demonstrate or present a compelling plan for building awareness of and planning for active involvement in citizen science using resources found on SciStarter.org/library-resources, CitizenScienceMonth.org-resources and SciStarter.org/NLM.
- Promote the NIH’s All of Us Research Program as one important example of a citizen science project that aims to engage one million volunteers to help accelerate cures for diseases that affect underrepresented in biomedical research communities.
- Be associated with a United States library.
- Join the Network of the National Library of Medicine.
- Attend an orientation webinar on March 25, 11:00AM PACIFIC | 2:00PM EASTERN.
- Spend the funds by April 30, 2021.
- Complete a brief post-programming report.
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:
- Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/264491167
- One tap mobile:
+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