Gale Cengage History Research and Innovation Award

About the Gale Cengage History Research and Innovation Award Established in 2012, the Gale Cengage History Research and Innovation Award consists of up to $2,500 and a citation recognizing an MLS degreed librarian to further research relating to history and history librarianship. More information can be found here: https://www.rusaupdate.org/awards/hs-learning-history-research-and-innovation-award/.

Administered by:

History Section logo

Award and Frequency

Winner will receive up to $2,500 and a citation.

*Monetary award amounts are subject to change without notice and are contingent upon donor funding supplied at the time the award is presented. 

This award is given out on an annual basis.

Eligibility

Librarians with an ALA accredited degree are encouraged to apply. Historical research much consist of an emphasis in an area reflected by the History Section’s subject-oriented committees, not excluding American history, is required.  Those committees are: Genealogy, Local History, Instruction and Research Services, and Historical Materials. Candidates must be a member of the RUSA History section by the time the award is presented. More information can be found here: https://www.rusaupdate.org/awards/hs-learning-history-research-and-innovation-award/.

Applicant Responsibility

A wrap-up report submission to the History Section Executive Board is required upon completion of the project.  Publication of the results is encouraged.

Application Instructions

Submission shall consist of:

  • A double-spaced proposal, not exceeding 1,500 words, describing the proposed research project
  • State within the proposal the following:
    • Why the funds are needed
    • How they will help the proposed project come to fruition
    • A preliminary title
    • The time frame in which the work will be conducted
    • The intended product (for example:  website, book, digital full-text(s), article, book chapter, research guide, conference paper, etc.)
    • The name of the person or institution to whom the money will be paid
    • A.C.V./resume
    • Affiliation of the librarian conducting the project
    • Contact information of the librarian conducting the project
    • A detailed budget

More information can be found here: https://www.rusaupdate.org/awards/hs-learning-history-research-and-innovation-award/.

Contact Information

Selection Criteria

The project will be evaluated with the following criteria:

  • Value of the project to the history librarianship community – possible 5 points with a weighted value of 3
  • Quality, depth, comprehensiveness of the literature reviewed – possible 5 points with a weighted value of 2
  • Feasibility of the project – a combination of the appropriateness of the research method/research design and the reasonableness of the timeline – possible 4 points with a weighted value of 1
  • Applicant’s qualifications – possible 2 points with a weighted value of 1
  • Reasonableness of proposed expenditures – possible 2 points with a weighted value of 1

Proposals will be scored independently by a 4-person review team, consisting of the History Section immediate past chair and the three members at large.  Scores for each proposal will be averaged and the final figure for each proposal will be used to rank the results. More information can be found here: https://www.rusaupdate.org/awards/hs-learning-history-research-and-innovation-award/.