by Chelsea Miller

Looking for something to distinguish yourself and give you an excuse for a trip to New Orleans in May? Perhaps applying for an International Reading Association (IRA) award or grant will satisfy. Applicants should send materials by the due date to be reviewed by our committees. Those who are chosen will be recognized at the IRA 59th Annual Conference in New Orleans from May 9-12, 2014. There is a grant or award for almost anyone involved in the field of education; teachers, graduate students, authors… the list goes on and on. So to all of those bold enough to apply we wish you good luck!

Due October 1, 2013

• National Affiliate Conference Grant applications for IRA affiliates in countries that the World Bank classifies as “economically developing” who want to plan a national conference in fall 2013 or later 
• IRA Outstanding Dissertation of the Year Award applications

Due October 31, 2013

• Advocacy Award applications for state and provincial councils’ educational policy and legislation projects
• Local Council Community Service Award for state and provincial councils’ outstanding service to their communities and literacy

Due November 1, 2013

• IRA Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award applications for newly-published authors
• IRA Elva Knight Research Grant applications for research in literacy
• IRA Helen M. Robinson Grant applications to assist doctoral students at the early stages of dissertation research
• IRA Jeanne S. Chall Research Fellowship applications to support reading research by promising scholars
• IRA Steven A. Stahl Research Grant applications for graduate students who have at least three years of teaching experience and who are conducting classroom research
• IRA Teacher as Researcher Grant applications for classroom teachers who undertake action research inquiries about literacy and instruction

Due November 15, 2013

• IRA Award for Technology and Reading applications for educators of grades K-12 who are making an innovative contribution to the use of technology in education
• IRA Arbuthnot Award application for a college or university professor contributing to children’s and young adults’ literature.  
• Constance McCullough Award applications for use in international professional development activities outside North America
• IRA Erwin Zolt Curriculum Excellence Award applications to support exceptional design and execution of a curriculum unit based on In2Books and the Common Core State Standards
• IRA Esther Zolt Teacher Research Grant applications for a completed action research study about implementing In2Books
• IRA Esther Zolt Academic Research Grant applications for a completed research study on the effective classroom implementation of In2Books
• Exemplary Reading Program Award applications for state and provincial councils—visit the IRA website for more details and for the Exemplary Reading Program Chair for your state/province
• IRA Jerry Johns Outstanding Teacher Educator in Reading Award applications or nominations
• IRA John Chorlton Manning Public School Service Award applications for college- or university-based teacher educators with a record of effective preparation of reading teachers/graduate students and who spend significant time working with public school teachers and their students in classrooms
• IRA Maryann Manning Outstanding Volunteer Service Award applications for four dedicated volunteers within North America and one dedicated volunteer outside of North America
• IRA Nila Banton Smith Award applications for outstanding leadership in translating theory and current research into practice
• IRA Short Story Award applications for authors
• IRA Regie Routman Teacher Recognition Grant applications for elementary classroom teachers of grades K–6 (ages 5–12)
• Special Service Award applications for unusual and distinguished service to IRA
• IRA/Weekly Reader Eleanor M. Johnson Award applications for an outstanding elementary classroom teacher of reading/language arts
• IRA William S. Gray Citation of Merit applications or nominations for a nationally or internationally known person for outstanding contributions to the field of reading

Please keep in mind many of the IRA awards and grants require applicants to be IRA members. Remember to read the application requirements carefully before submitting your materials. For a comprehensive list of awards and grants offered (including deadlines, specifications, and past recipients) please consult our awards and grants webpage.

Chelsea Miller is a strategic communications intern at the International Reading Association.