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Scholarships

Two categories of scholarships are available to applicants who have not yet had the opportunity to attend Rare Book School: those decided by the RBS Scholarship Committee and those conducted through partner organizations. The deadline for 2013 Scholarship Application materials is 15 October 2013.

RBS Scholarship Committee Awards

There are several types of scholarships awarded by the RBS Scholarship Committee each fall, all of which are conducted through a single application process. Applicants who submit a completed application by the 15 October deadline will be considered for all of the awards for which they are eligible. Scholarships are awarded without reference to admission to any particular course. Once a student is admitted to an RBS course, the scholarship award may be redeemed. Participation in the scholarship program implies acceptance of the scholarship. See our Terms and Conditions.

Scholarships are awarded in the fall and take effect in January. Scholarship recipients must claim their award within two years (e.g., scholarships awarded in December 2013 must be claimed by 31 January 2016).

The RBS Scholarship Committee members only consider applications from those who seek to attend RBS for the first time. In addition, special consideration will be given to individuals in the early stages of their professional careers. For more details about the scholarship program, see the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Eligibility and Application Process for RBS Scholarships

To apply to any of the following scholarships, please submit an RBS scholarship application using the free Interfolio interface by the 15 October deadline. Only first-time RBS attendees are eligible to apply. By submitting an RBS scholarship application, you will be considered for all of the awards for which you are eligible. Participation in the scholarship program implies acceptance of the scholarship Terms and Conditions.

Directors’ Scholarship

• Intended for students and professionals in all fields that intersect with RBS course content
• Preference given to applicants early in their careers
• Approximately twenty awards given each year

SHARP-RBS Scholarship

• Intended for current graduate students and recent masters/Ph.D. recipients
• One to two awards given each year

ASECS Scholarship

• Awarded to current ASECS members who are attending RBS for the first time
• Up to three awards given each year

Atlas Systems Scholarship

• Awarded to a current or aspiring special collections librarian or archivist who is interested in the use of digital technologies in support of special collections librarianship 
• One award given each year

BSA-RBS Scholarship

• Intended for students and professionals working on a bibliographical project that intersects with and could be informed by RBS course content
• Preference given to applicants early in their careers
• One award given each year

James Davis Scholarship

• Awarded to an applicant who displays an especially strong record of good citizenship and stewardship in the bibliographical community
• One award given each year

The current Scholarship Committee comprises:

Gerald Cloud, chair (Clark Librarian, William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles)

Evan Davis (Associate Professor, Department of English, Hampden-Sydney College)

Jeremy Dibbell (Director of Communications and Outreach, Rare Book School)

Jennifer Lowe (Rare Book Librarian, Pius XII Memorial Library, Saint Louis University)

Teri Osborn (Americana Cataloger, William Reese Company)

Jessica Pigza (Librarian, Rare Book Division, New York Public Library)

 

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Several other bibliographical organizations generously offer scholarships towards RBS course tuition. Each organization has its own criteria and selection process; however, eligibility may be contingent on admission to an RBS course. Applicants will need to refer to the providing organization's website for full details.

• ABAA Scholarship

The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (ABAA) maintains scholarship funds which may be applied to RBS course tuition. ABAA scholarship funds are open to full and associate members of the ABAA and employees of members. For more information, visit the ABAA website.

• IOBA Scholarship

The Independent Online Booksellers Association (IOBA) awards an annual scholarship to one of its members which may be used for Rare Book School, California Rare Book School (Los Angeles), or London Rare Books School. It does not require pre-acceptance to a specific course; members have up to 18 months to attend a program after being awarded the scholarship. The scholarship covers full tuition plus an additional stipend to offset some travel costs. For more information, visit the IOBA website.

• NCC/ABAA George Robert Kane Scholarship

The NCC/ABAA is accepting applications for the George Robert Kane Scholarship, which will provide funding to attend courses offered by Rare Book School, the Colorado Antiquarian Book Seminar, or California Rare Book School (Los Angeles). These scholarships honor the memory of long-time NCC/ABAA member George Robert Kane (6 October 1913–28 November 2009) and are designed to promote professionalism and education relevant to the book trade.

Please contact Chapter Secretary Chris Lowenstein at chris@bookhuntersholiday.com for more information.

• Tavistock Books Educational Scholarship

The Tavistock Books Educational Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship opportunity that is available to all antiquarian booksellers admitted to Joel Silver’s course, Reference Sources for Researching Rare Books (L-25). One Tavistock Scholarship will be awarded each year this course is offered. Preference will be given to individuals in the early stages of their careers and to those who would not otherwise be able to attend RBS without scholarship assistance. Read more...