The purpose of the Award is to encourage research and innovation in library and information science. Particular attention will be paid to proposals intended to improve the accessibility, retrievability and usefulness of information.

The maximum value of the Award is �1000.

The Award may be used to defray research expenses (e.g. travel, postage costs) to fund attendance at high level meetings or to fund a study tour. However, a clear overall aim for the research must be stated. Visits for general professional development will not be considered.

There is no application form, and proposals may be made in any suitable form. As guidance, it is suggested that the following should be included:

• A description of the proposed research, including a title, the objective(s), the methodology, the expected timescale, and any other related work (by the proposer or others)
• A financial projection, including all anticipated expenditure, which will be used as the basis on which any award if assessed. Where it is proposed to use funding from other sources to supplement the Award this should be clearly stated. Proposers should note that Elsevier/LIRG Award should be the principal source of funding for the research.
• Curriculum vitae of proposer Prizewinners will be required to present and interim account of the research to the Annual General Meeting of the Library and Information Research Group. In addition, a final report on the research will be required in the form of a paper suitable for publication in the Library and Information Research News (LIRN).

Previous winners of the Award have included:

• Dr Judith Keene, Academic Liaison Manager (Humanities, Social and Applied Sciences), Peirson Library ,University College Worcester for a study From Abstract to Relevant:widening access to periodicals (presentation)
• John Cullen of Institute of Technology, Tallaght, for a Study on the Irish Market for Library and Information Management Work
• Elizabeth Gadd of Loughborough University for a study on copyright clearance issues relating to Higher Education Libraries
• Jonathan Willson of Manchester Metropolitan University for a study of privacy and confidentiality of Internet use in public libraries
• Susan Copeland of Robert Gordon University to undertake a study of electronic theses.
• Mark Gillham and Kathy Buckner of Queen Margaret College for a study of access strategies of home users of interactive multimedia CD-ROM information systems.

The closing date for applications is 31st October each year and the prizewinner will be announced at the Group's AGM in March.

Applications should be sent to:
Noeleen Cookman
Ground Floor Flat, 72 Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow, Middx, HA1 2RZ
Tel: 07739 297103
Email: [email protected]