MONEY AVAILABLE FROM ASA

by Karen Buckley
ASA Treasurer

Many members of the Society may be unaware of the grant money for programs, courses, education, and travel assistance that is available to them. The following is a list of the types of grants available, including some of the restrictions and/or requirements.

1) Bursary Program. If you are a student from Alberta, enrolled in a graduate program involving archival studies, you can apply for this grant to help with your tuition, books, and other related expenses. $1,500 is available which may be split if there is more than one applicant.

2) Archival Practicum Program. If you have taken courses through the ASA's Core Curriculum, and have pre-arranged an opportunity to acquire hands-on experience with an approved archival, institution in Alberta, you are eligible for this grant. $1,150 is awarded for transportation expenses, accommodation, and meals. The award is offered for a minimum of one work week and a maximum of two work weeks.

3) Tuition support Program. If you are a student enrolled in a post-secondary education course (or courses) in archives administration or records management, you can apply for this grant to help with tuition, textbooks, library fees, and other expenses. $500 is available, with a maximum of $250 per course. Preference is given to those attending courses in Alberta.

4) Professional Development Travel Assistance (PDTA). These grants are some of the most common available and can be used by members who are attending conferences, workshops and seminars related to archival studies. Funding priorities have been set when considering applicants, with first priority given to conferences/workshops that relate directly to archives; second priority for those that relate indirectly (records management, library science, museum science, historical or other allied professions); and third priority to one-of-a-kind or one-time-only conferences.

Grants may be used for 50% of transportation expenses, registration fees, accommodation and meals when attending ACA, CCA, ASA, or any other organization's conferences/workshops. Accommodation is paid to a maximum of $60 per night and meals have a $40 per day maximum. Out-of-province applications may only be considered to a maximum of $100 per person. Preference may be given to those members from smaller institutions, and to members who travel at their own expense or by the most economical method. You can be eligible for more than one grant per year to a maximum of $500 per fiscal year. If you are attending the Core Curriculum courses, please see the Educational Program Travel Assistance (EPTA) description.

5) Educational Program Travel Assistance (EPTA). These grants are available for any member attending one of the Core Curriculum courses offered through the Five-Year Education Program. $650 is available for each course which is split among all applicants. The grant is offered for transportation expenses only. Applicants must have been members of the Society for one year and must be residents of Alberta. Out-of-province residents may be considered, but only to a maximum of $50.

Please be aware that other restrictions and requirements may apply to these grants. If you need more information, contact the Treasurer, Karen Buckley, at 403-289-9732.