APPLICATION RECEIPT DEADLINE: March 22, 2017
Date application posted: February 1, 2017
Questions? Contact the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 5045, or publicprograms@ala.org.
Pre-application Webinar, held on February 8, 2017: Watch an archived recording of this informational webinar from the STAR_Net team for more information about the NASA@ My Library project. View the webinar at any time on the STAR_Net website.
The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in partnership with the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL) at the Space Science Institute (SSI), the Pacific Science Center, Cornerstones of Science, and Education Development Center, invites public libraries nationwide to apply to become a NASA@ My Library Partner and join the NASA@ My Library project.
NASA@ My Library is made possible through the support of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate as part of its STEM Activation program.
Public libraries are invited to work with NASA@ My Library project organizations, NASA, and state library agencies to increase and enhance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) learning opportunities for millions of library patrons throughout the nation, including geographic areas and populations that are currently underserved in STEM education. The NASA@ My Library project will increase and sustain the availability of NASA science-focused learning experiences for underserved audiences through:
Seventy-five public libraries will be selected to become NASA@ My Library Partners through a competitive application process. NASA@ My Library Partners will receive NASA STEM Facilitation Kits, NASA STEM Backpacks for circulation, financial resources, training, and partnership opportunities. Through this project, participating libraries will engage public audiences in informal, lifelong learning opportunities during a sustained, multi-year effort involving hands-on activities, high-profile events, and other programs conducted in collaboration with national and local organizational partners, scientists, engineers, and other STEM experts. The NASA@ My Library project will include a research study and evaluation of STEM learning in a library setting.
Through this new type of grant format, libraries selected as NASA@ My Library Partners will receive resources and opportunities in two phases:
Upon completion of Phase 1, NASA@ My Library Partners will be invited to continue participating in the project and will receive the following:
Throughout their participation, NASA@ My Library Partners will also receive the following:
Facilitation kits can be used in hands-on STEM programming facilitated by library staff or by outside groups (such as NASA Subject Matter Experts). These items are also suitable for use in minimally facilitated activities (such as stations).
The project is designed to promote access to NASA science discoveries and provide learning experiences to persons of diverse backgrounds. All public libraries are eligible to participate in this program. Libraries in rural and/or geographically isolated areas and those serving underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
Groups underrepresented in STEM fields include Hispanics and Latinos, African Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, the economically disadvantaged, people with disabilities, and women and girls.
By offering programming tied to existing national and international STEM/space events, NASA@ My Library Partners may draw upon existing program ideas and resources to attract the attention of the broader local community. For more information on upcoming national and international events, visit the Resources page.
NASA hands-on activity guides, teacher guides, and family guides will be available on the STAR_Net STEM Activity Clearinghouse to support NASA@ My Library events. For more information on STAR_Net, visit the Resources page.
Libraries will be invited to collaborate with a network of NASA Subject Matter Experts to serve as program speakers and active participants in ongoing community dialogue on STEM learning and engagement. Subject Matter Experts are STEM-focused professionals from NASA-funded centers and institutions, as well as individuals within each region that can collaborate on programs with the chosen libraries throughout the NASA@ My Library project. To view a list of potential collaborators, visit the Resources page.
Awarded libraries will receive the first NASA STEM Facilitation Kit in May 2017, followed by an additional kit by March 2018. The NASA STEM Facilitation Kits will include STEM tools and hands-on activities around the following focus areas: 1) Sun-Earth-Moon Connections and 2) Expanding Your Senses.
Awarded libraries have the option to continue participating in the project until December 2020. Libraries that renew their commitment to the project in November 2018 will receive NASA STEM Backpacks that can be checked out by patrons, as well as two additional NASA STEM Facilitation Kits that focus on 3) The Search for Habitable Worlds and 4) Exploration.
The kits will contain STEM tools and programming materials valued at approximately $1,500. The exact contents of each kit are currently under review, with three pilot libraries testing a variety of materials in programs. The kit contents will be revised based on their experiences. As an example, the current prototype kit includes a telescope, binoculars, a microscope, a "green screen" backdrop, infrared thermometers, robotics and coding toys, and solar viewing glasses.
For each kit, printed guides, how-to videos, and webinars will provide instruction on using the tools in library programs. A tablet – pre-loaded with how-to videos, apps, games, and visualizations relevant to the kit materials – will also be provided to each selected library. A selection of these resources will also be available for patrons to download on their own smartphones or tablets.
Following award notifications, an online introduction to the program will be provided to all awarded sites. This webinar will introduce sites to the resources available to them. At least one staff member from each selected library is required to participate in this webinar.
This webinar will familiarize sites with the contents of the first NASA STEM Facilitation Kit, to be delivered in May 2017. At least one staff member from each selected library is required to participate in this webinar.
Awarded sites will be invited to participate in our ongoing STAR_Net Webinar Series, as well as special online training opportunities for this program. These include:
One project director from each awarded library will be required to attend a two-day NASA@ My Library workshop in Denver, Colorado in February 2018. The workshop will include:
The NASA@ My Library program will be evaluated by a third-party evaluator, Education Development Center (EDC). Selected staff from awarded libraries will be asked to complete surveys describing program implementation and impact (approximately annually as well as following the workshop and webinars). Libraries will also receive brief surveys to distribute to patrons after NASA@ My Library events and/or programs. Select libraries may also be invited to host a site visit and/or participate in a related interview.
All public libraries selected to participate in the NASA@ My Library program will be required to do the following:
Additionally, all public libraries selected to participate in the NASA@ My Library program will be strongly encouraged to do the following:
More information on participation in the above programs/communities can be found on the Resources page.
Seventy-five libraries will be selected to participate in the NASA@ My Library program. Each awarded site will receive the following:
Upon completion of Phase 1, NASA@ My Library Partners will be invited to continue participating in the project and will receive the following:
Throughout their participation, NASA@ My Library Partners will receive the following:
NASA@ My Library is open to public libraries in the United States. Public libraries in rural areas and those serving rural populations and underserved groups are especially invited to apply. Individuals and federal entities are not eligible to apply.
Applications will be accepted for NASA@ My Library between February 1 and March 22, 2017. Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time on March 22, 2017. Late or incomplete applications, and applications from ineligible institutions will not be reviewed. Applications and support materials may not be submitted by mail or e-mail.
Interested applicants may preview a PDF of the online application prior to applying.
To begin the application process, go to the project home page on apply.ala.org.
To apply to host NASA@ My Library, you must complete the following eight steps:
Before you can access the application, you must register to create an application account in Apply.
If you have already registered when applying for another ALA Public Programs Office grant project, you may log in, using your e-mail address and password.
Note: The Project Director is the person who will be responsible for coordinating the program at the site. He or she will be the primary point of contact for the project at the applicant institution.
To complete step 3, provide all the information that is requested for the Project Director, local library information, and shipping information. You must then save the information.
After clicking the "SAVE" button, you will be able to return to the application at any time and log in, using your e-mail address and password. This will allow you to edit, save, and return to your application as needed prior to the submission deadline.
NOTE: One piece of information that you must supply is the applicant institution’s DUNS number. All institutions receiving an award are required to provide a DUNS number, issued by Dun & Bradstreet. Project Directors should contact their institution’s grants administrator or chief financial officer to obtain their institution’s DUNS number. Federal grant or subgrant applicants can obtain a DUNS number free of charge by calling 1-866-705-5711. (Learn more about the requirement.) All awardees must have a DUNS number by May 2017. If you will not have a DUNS number by the application deadline of March 22, please contact publicprograms@ala.org for assistance.
Before you compose the narrative part of this proposal, we strongly recommend that you read the guidelines carefully. If you do not, your proposal is unlikely to be competitive.
Please describe your plans for presenting NASA@ My Library. The proposal narrative consists of six sections (described below). Please note that each section of the narrative may not exceed 400 words.
Be sure to address the following points in your narrative:
Upload STEM program marketing/promotional materials. (optional)
Upload letters of support from project partners and other organizations, as well as from potential external program presenters (optional).
An application to participate in NASA@ My Library is an application for an award from the sponsors of this project (National Center for Interactive Learning at the Space Science Institute and the American Library Association). The project sponsors are required by law to ask applicants to identify for each application a certifying official who is authorized to submit applications for funding on behalf of the organization.
To complete this section, you must enter all information that is requested.
The Review and Edit page summarizes all the information that you have entered. From this page, you can review and edit each section, save the entire application and log out of the system, or move ahead to submit your application.
When you are satisfied with your application, submit it using the Submit button. Once your application has been submitted, you may still log in to view or print it, but no further editing or other changes will be possible. All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Central Time. on March 22, 2017.
Applications submitted after that time will be considered ineligible.
Applications and application attachments may not be submitted by mail or e-mail.
Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Each application will be assessed by a review panel of librarians and representatives of other educational and cultural institutions and disciplines, in collaboration with the sponsors.
If you have questions about the project or the application, contact:
American Library Association Public Programs Office
1-800-545-2433, ext. 5045
publicprograms@ala.org
American Library Association | 50 E. Huron, Chicago IL 60611 | 1.800.545.2433
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To access the application system, sign in with your apply.ala.org profile.
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