Beverly Murphy MLA Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Medical Library Association
Overview
The Beverly Murphy Scholarship for Underrepresented Students supports students pursuing careers in health sciences librarianship. Established in 1973 and renamed in 2023 for Beverly Murphy, AHIP, FMLA, the scholarship recognizes leadership and historic contributions to the Medical Library Association. The award seeks candidates who demonstrate academic excellence and potential for professional accomplishment, particularly those from groups historically underrepresented in the field. More information about Beverly Murphy can be found in the Journal of the Medical Library Association and related MLA profiles.
Description: A competitive annual scholarship awarded to a student preparing for a career in health sciences librarianship, emphasizing support for underrepresented groups.
History of the Award: Originated in 1973 and renamed in 2023 to honor Beverly Murphy’s pioneering leadership and service to MLA.
- Established 1973; renamed for Beverly Murphy in 2023
- Supports students entering health sciences librarianship
- Recognizes academic excellence and professional potential
Eligibility
Applicants must belong to an underrepresented group and be enrolled in, or entering, an ALA-accredited master’s program in library science. Candidates must be U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents and must not have previously received an MLA scholarship. The recipient may receive only one MLA scholarship in a given year, and membership in MLA is not required to apply.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants include members of underrepresented groups (for example, Black/African-American, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous Peoples, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander) who are entering or are early in an ALA-accredited master’s program and meet residency or citizenship requirements.
- Open to students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
- Must be entering or early in an ALA-accredited master’s program
- U.S. or Canadian citizens or permanent residents only
- Past MLA scholarship recipients are ineligible
Award Details
The scholarship provides financial support and professional inclusion to advance the recipient’s education and early career. The award is up to $2,500 and is presented annually by the Medical Library Association. The recipient also receives a one-year MLA student membership and free inclusive student registration to the MLA annual conference, where the scholarship is announced.
Award Value: Up to $2,500 plus a one-year MLA student membership and complimentary inclusive student registration to the MLA annual conference.
- Monetary award: up to $2,500
- Includes one-year MLA student membership
- Includes free inclusive student registration to the MLA annual conference
- Award announced at the MLA annual conference
Application and Terms
Applications must be submitted online with all supporting documents by the stated deadline. Applicants will receive an acknowledgement on the webpage after submission, and recipients and nonrecipients will be notified in early March before the public announcement. Funds must be disbursed within one year following the annual conference, and the selection jury may determine not to present the scholarship in a given year if candidates do not meet qualifications.
Application Timeline: Online application and uploaded materials are due by December 2; notifications are issued in early March.
Terms: The award must be used within one year of the conference; applicants receive an online acknowledgement; the recipient will be asked to provide a photo and video for the virtual awards ceremony; the jury may withhold the award if no suitable candidate is identified.
- Application deadline: December 2 (online submission)
- Notification of decisions: early March
- Funds disbursement window: within one year of the annual conference
- Submission acknowledgement appears on the application webpage
- Recipient asked to provide photo/video for awards ceremony