Technology Improvement Awards: Call for Submissions, Fall 2008
Network organizations in the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Northwest Region (NN/LM PNR) are eligible to receive up to $5,000 for the purchase, installation, and/or upgrading of hardware and software that enhance access to health information.
Up to 3 awards of up to $5,000 each will be awarded this fall.
Purpose
A Technology Improvement Award may be used for the purchase, installation, and/or upgrading of hardware and software that enhances capacity of a library or organization to offer electronic health information services for health professionals or health consumers.
Priority will be given to proposals that:
- Respond to a previously identified health information access need
- Have active support of the institution's information technology staff
- Include a clear strategy for evaluating project outcomes
Examples of potential Technology Improvement Projects
- Purchasing hardware and/or software to add a new service to deliver health information over the Internet, e.g. scanner or document imaging equipment, Web server, and/or software for Internet or Web-based transmission of documents
- Paying for Internet access for one year and/or wiring and installation of new connections
- Upgrading or purchasing computer equipment
- Improvements to a library learning lab to facilitate computer-based instruction
Applicant Submission Instructions
Requests for funding will be accepted until October 24, 2008. Network member organizations in the PNR are eligible to apply. The completed Technology Improvement Award Application, along with letters of support, should be sent as email attachments to aldrich3@u.washington.edu. Word document format is preferred. Please use “Technology Improvement Award” in the subject line of the email. The PNR staff will acknowledge your application when received and notification of awards will be given within 4 weeks of the application deadline.
A proposed budget is required for funding requests, to include estimated costs for any proposed hardware purchases. If your project is funded, you will be asked to provide the following:
- For IT/computer hardware under $3,000 per item: Vendor name and published vendor pricing.
- For IT/computer hardware of $3,000 or more per item: Three (3) vendor quotes (preferably valid for 60 days). Vendor quotes are necessary to determine price reasonableness for purchases. If a single item is over $3,000 and is not competed, then a sole source justification letter is required to indicate why it is the most advantageous purchase.
Reporting Requirements
The project leader will submit to the NN/LM PNR a brief (1-2 page) report describing how the project impacts health information access. The project leader is strongly encouraged to share the report with other network members by submitting it for posting to the NN/LM PNR blog, Dragonfly.
Period of Performance
Technology Improvement Award activities should be completed within 9 to 12 months of notice of award.
Cost Instructions
Total cost must not exceed $5,000.
In awarding these funds, the UW Regional Medical Library requests standard indirect costs not be taken, to allow the institution receiving the award to participate fully in the mission of the project.
For additional information, contact:
Alison Aldrich, Technology Outreach Coordinator, aldrich3@u.washington.edu
Telephone: (206) 221-3489, 1-800-338-7657 (within AK, ID, OR, MT, WA)
