Elsevier Foundation Invites 2011 Proposals for Innovative Libraries in Developing Countries Program

NEW YORK, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- September 15th Deadline for Grants to Promote Research in the Developing World

The Elsevier Foundation is seeking new grant proposals for the 2011 Innovative Libraries in Developing Countries program. Providing grants to libraries in the developing world the program aims to improve access to scientific, technical and medical information through innovative systems and services.

During the past five years 25 grants have been awarded worth millions of dollars to capacity-building library projects in the fields of science, technology and medicine - through training, education, infrastructure, digitization and preservation of information. The deadline for Innovative Libraries proposals is September 15th 2011. Grants will be awarded in December 2011 and provide one, two and three year awards between US$5,000 to US$50,000 per year. The online Elsevier Foundation application program will accept proposals from July 1st through to September 15th on http://www.elsevierfoundation.org.

"The Innovative Libraries program has funded a very compelling range of programs, ranging from innovative health information delivery through telemedicine to the preservation and accessibility of critical primary source content," said David Ruth, Executive Director of the Elsevier Foundation, "The innovations proposed are growing year by year, demonstrating the creativity and drive to create tailored library research environments in developing countries. We have every expectation that we'll see high quality proposals this year that will again demonstrate the power of libraries to contribute to development."

About The Elsevier Foundation

The Elsevier Foundation provides grants to institutions around the world, with a focus on support for the world's libraries and for scholars in the early stages of their careers. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded more than 60 grants worth millions dollars to non-profit organizations working in these fields. Through gift-matching, the Foundation also supports the efforts of Elsevier employees to play a positive role in their local and global communities. The Elsevier Foundation is funded by Elsevier, a leading global publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. http://www.elsevierfoundation.org

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet (http://www.thelancet.com/) and Cell (http://www.cell.com/), and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include SciVerse ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com/), SciVerse Scopus (http://www.scopus.com/), Reaxys (http://www.reaxys.com/), MD Consult (http://www.mdconsult.com/) and Nursing Consult ( http://www.nursingconsult.com/), which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal suite (http://www.scival.com/) and MEDai's Pinpoint Review (http://www.medai.com/), which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier (http://www.elsevier.com/), employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC (http://www.reedelsevier.com/), a world-leading publisher and information provider, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

    
                     Elsevier Foundation Program Guidelines
                  Innovative Libraries in Developing Countries
                Call for Proposals Deadline: September 15th 2011
                        http://www.elsevierfoundation.org

The Elsevier Foundation supports the efforts of libraries to enhance the quality of life in developing countries by advancing knowledge in science, the social sciences technology and medicine. The Foundation provides one, two and three year grants to libraries in the developing countries and supporting organizations:

- Programs to enhance library infrastructure, technology or information services in ways that significantly expand their ability to make STM (scientific/social sciences, technical and medical) information available to those who need it -- researchers, clinicians, students, policymakers and the wider public.

- Programs that expand library information resources in the developing world through digitization or preservation of information that advances science, health, the environment, and indigenous knowledge.

- Training and education programs for library staff, students or researchers, contributing to sustainable improvements in the library's capacity to provide STM information in the developing world.

- Partnerships between libraries in the developing countries and institutions in the developed countries to provide technical assistance or training. Developed country partner organizations include libraries, learned societies, universities, intergovernmental organizations and other non-profit organizations.

Preference will be given to proposals that clearly demonstrate the following;

- Innovation in improving the use of STM information

- A high degree of potential impact on society in the developing world

- Programs that will serve as models for other institutions and countries

- Programs that enhance international partnerships or exchange between individuals and institutions

- Realistic budgets tied to measurable outcomes

- Sustained financial and programmatic viability

- Programs that have institutional supports

- Programs leaders or institutes with record of past success

- Create and promote collaborative networks across institutions and/or disciplines.

- A willingness to draw from the expertise and experience of previous grantees

- Have specific plans for sustainability beyond the funding period.

- Embody plans for dissemination beyond the awardee organization of policies, procedures, and "lessons learned" that are developed during the funding period.

Please note:

Requests for hardware will only be considered if they are part of a comprehensive project approach integrating diverse elements such as training or research. Grants are awarded for specific projects rather than operating support.

Innovative Libraries Guidelines

Proposals are welcome for single-year grants in amounts between US$5,000 to US$50,000. Proposals will be accepted for multi-year programs (up to three years) for grant amounts of US$5,000 to US$50,000 per year. Grant proposals should be submitted online no later than September 15th 2011. Awards will be announced in December 2011. Proposals should be focused and well-defined, and must address each of the following elements:

- Cover letter: Provide a one-page description of the objectives and key activities of the program. Include contact details and the amount of funding requested.

- Goals and plan: A clear description of the program goals and implementation plan, including timeframe.

- Innovation: How will the program introduce new ideas, capabilities and/or capacity for the institution or country. How the program would serve as a model for others.

- Impact: The significance of the program's intended impact on science, health and society in that country or globally.

- Sustainability: How will the benefits of the program be sustained after the grant has been expended.

- Budget: The total amount of the grant requested and justification for the requested amount, including a clear budget overview spreadsheet that indicates in as much detail as possible intended expenditures and other sources of funding, if any.

- Evaluation: How the program will be measured and evaluated and how its results will be reported.

- Organization and partnership: A description of the organization requesting the grant, confirmation of its status as a non-profit entity, and a listing of key officers and staff who will direct the implementation of the program. Description of key program partners, if any.

- Length: Applications may only be submitted online through the Elsevier Foundation's online application system.

- Final Report for Awarded Grants: The Elsevier Foundation requires a final report from grantees at the time of completion of funded activities. The report should be both descriptive and evaluative, and include:

- Detailed summary of activities during the grant period

- Internal and external media coverage generated

- Accounting report of grant expenditures

- Assessment of project goals (including level of achievement)

Awards must be submitted online via The Elsevier Foundation's (http://www.elsevierfoundation.org/) online grant application proposal system between July 1st and September 15th.

Awards will be announced in December 2011. Please don't hesitate to contact the Elsevier Foundation with any questions concerning the development of your proposal.

    
    The Elsevier Foundation
    360 Park Avenue South
    New York, NY 10010 USA
    Phone: +31-20-485-2025 3965
    Email: foundation@elsevier.com

    Ylann Schemm
    Elsevier Foundation
    +31-20-485-2025
    foundation@elsevier.com