AMIA 2026 Broadening Perspectives Scholarship

A conversation that embraces many voices helps us bridge communities and grow—both as individuals and as a field. There are many approaches to the work we do, from conservative to experimental, each shaped by different experiences and insights. By building on tradition, established practices, and long-held values, we are better prepared to explore new ideas while staying grounded in our foundational principles The goal of the scholarship is to encourage participation in our community from voices that, for any number of reasons, may not have been heard, so that each of us and AMIA may grow through Broadening Perspectives.

Founded in 2022, this $4,000 scholarship is flexible in its structure, with a minimum of $3,000 applied to tuition, but the option to apply $1,000 towards travel to the annual conference. The tuition funds are sent directly to the recipients' educational institution to cover the costs of tuition or registration fees. Funds applied towards travel to the annual conference can be applied to travel or lodging. Conference registration is included.

This scholarship is funded by George Blood, L.P.

ELIGIBILITY

The scholarship is open to all students who embrace new ideas or bring different voices to the archival field, and

• must be enrolled full or part time in a graduate-level or other advanced program in moving image studies or moving image production, library or information management as regards moving image, archival moving image studies, museum moving image studies or a related scientific or technical moving image discipline (s); or must be accepted into such a program for the next academic year.

• must have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) in his/her current or most recently completed academic program

APPLICATION

All applications are submitted through the online form. Each application must include the following:

• A Scholarship application form (online submission). Resumes or curriculum vitae must be submitted to supplement the application form.

• An official transcript from the applicant’s most recent academic program (including the institution’s grading scale and/or GPA calculator) sent directly from the academic institution. Electronic submission preferred. If unable to submit electronically, contact Kristina Kersels (kkersels@amianet.org) for mailing instructions. Transcript must be received by June 20, 2026.

• An essay of no more than 1,000 words describing the applicant’s major field of study, relevant experience and/or education, career goals, and interest in a field that is inclusive of many voices helps us bridge communities and develop as individuals.

• Two letters of recommendation submitted separately to kkersels@amianet.org. Do not submit more than two. Electronic submission preferred. If unable to submit electronically, contact Kristina Kersels (kkersels@amianet.org) for mailing instructions.

Important factors in the selection of the scholarship recipients include: a student's commitment to pursuing a career in moving image archiving; commitment to a field that is inclusive of many voices; the quality of a student's academic record; and the strength of a student's program of study as it applies to moving image archiving.

Important note: Applicants must submit a separate application form and a unique essay for each scholarship, but may submit one set of supporting documents (references, transcripts) to be eligible for all three scholarships. No applicant will be awarded more than one scholarship.

ALL TRANSCRIPTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS MUST BE SENT SEPARATELY.

• Recommendations must come directly either by email or by post directly from the writer.
• Transcripts must be official transcripts and may be submitted by email or by post by the institution.

Send all recommendations and transcripts to AMIA Scholarships, AMIA Office, 1313 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA 90028. Forms may be submitted electronically to kkersels@amianet.org.