CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the return of the Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship Program. Building off the success of the Spectrum Scholarship Program which provides one-year academic funding for LIS students who identify as American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latino or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, the Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship Program seeks to recruit diverse LIS faculty members. 

"There have been many discussions about the lack of diversity in the profession, and that includes the classrooms as well," noted Kevin Strowder, director of ALA's Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services. "We are grateful that we are able to meet a need through this fellowship program."

In partnership with the University of South Carolina's School of Information Science, the American Library Association seeks to recruit a cohort of 8-10 racially and ethnically diverse doctoral students focused on advancing racial equity and social justice in library and information science curricula.

The fellowship will develop future LIS faculty committed to fostering racial equity through teaching and research while also building capacity and cooperation amongst partnering LIS degree programs to expand social justice curricula and increase support for doctoral students and faculty in the field who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color. In addition to meeting financial needs, fellowship students will attend a two-day conference and be part of a professional cohort. 

Applications open on November 4, 2021, and will be accepted via the ALA Scholarship Clearinghouse. Applications will close on December 10, 2021. 

An informational session for prospective applicants will be presented on November 3 at 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Participants must register in advance. 

This fellowship program was made possible by grant funding from the Institute of Museum of Library Services (IMLS).

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The American Library Association (ALA) is the foremost national organization providing resources to inspire library and information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, ALA has been the trusted voice of libraries, advocating for the profession and the library's role in enhancing learning and ensuring access to information for all. For more information, visit ala.org.