Wikimedia+Libraries International Convention 2022/Scholarships/FAQs

Scholarship / Grant Information

Launch of the call: May 13, 2022

Closing of the call: May 21, 2022

Awardees will be notified the first or second week of June

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who can apply for a scholarship?

A: Any active contributor to a Wikimedia project or Wikimedia volunteer in any other capacity can apply for a scholarship from anywhere in the world. The scholarship committee will review all eligible applications for a scholarship with an in-depth evaluation. Scholarships will be given to participants based on the information provided in the application about their previous experiences and current engagement with Wikimedia projects. While anyone can apply for a scholarship to attend, the most eligible candidates are active contributors to Wikimedia projects, organizations, or initiatives with a clear connection to libraries. Priority will be given to applicants who work within library systems or library and information science faculty.

Q: How many scholarships are there?

A: Twenty full scholarships will be awarded. This is what is included in a full scholarship as stated in award emails):

• Travel. Airfare must be arranged through the appointed Wikimedia+Libraries Convention travel agent. Note: Wikimedia+Libraries Convention will pay the travel agent directly.
• Accommodations at Maynooth University. Breakfast is included. Note: Wikimedia+Libraries Convention will make the reservation for awardees.
• 80€, total, for meals during travel.
• 20€, total, for roundtrip public transportation from the airport to Maynooth and return.
• 100€, total, for travel insurance.
• 20€, total, for COVID testing
• 120€ if needed, for a visa.
• Lunch and dinner will be provided at the conference for all attendees. Breakfast is included for full-scholarship recipients.
• Within 60 days, after the convention, please email wikimediaireland@gmail.com for reimbursement for these costs. Please label the subject line with “WikiLibCon Reimbursement”. You do not need to keep receipts.

B: Partial scholarships cover the following:

Accommodations at Maynooth University. Note: Wikimedia+Libraries Convention will make the reservation for awardees.

Lunch and dinner will be provided at the conference for all attendees.

Q: How can I apply for a scholarship?

A: Fill out the application.

Q: Can people submit applications after the deadline?

A: To ensure that final decision results are released on time, and in fairness to other applicants, late applications will not be accepted. The last day to fill out the application is May 21, 2022.

Q: How will applicants be notified of the results?

A: The e-mail address provided on the application will be used to notify an individual of whether their application has been successful or not. All applicants will be contacted at some point, regardless of the result.

Q: On what basis are the recipients of Wikimedia Foundation scholarships decided?

A: Using a predetermined selection process and selection criteria, the Scholarship Committee will review all scholarship applications and determine which are successful.

Scholarship eligibility

Q: Who is eligible to receive a scholarship to attend the Wikimedia+Libraries Meetup?

A: Any active contributor to a Wikimedia project or Wikimedia volunteer in any other capacity from anywhere in the world can apply for a scholarship. The scholarship committee will review all eligible applications for a scholarship with an in-depth evaluation. Scholarships will be given to participants based on the information provided in the application about their previous experiences and current engagement with Wikimedia projects. While anyone can apply for a scholarship to attend, the most eligible candidates are active contributors to Wikimedia projects, organizations, or initiatives with a clear connection to libraries. Priority will be given to applicants who work within library systems or library and information science faculty.

Q: Do applicants have to agree to any terms or conditions before applying?

A: Yes, they are located at the bottom of the application form – all terms and conditions must be checked off before an application form can be submitted.

Q: Why do applicants have to agree to some terms and conditions before submitting their application?

A: To ensure that they understand what they will be expected to do and what they will be required to pay for if they receive a scholarship.

Q: If I can afford to travel to and attend the Wikimedia+Libraries Convention, should I apply?

A: Scholarship recipients are not selected based on financial need, as such factors cannot be assessed by WMF staff or the Scholarship Committee when reviewing applications. However, it is asked that applicants carefully consider their financial needs against the needs of other applicants worldwide. Many applicants do not have the financial means to attend without this opportunity.

Writing a scholarship application

Q: Can multiple applicants submit one joint application?

A: No, every applicant must submit their own application to be considered.

Q: Do applications have to be submitted in English?

A: No, but it is strongly recommended that they are, as English is the only common language that all members of the Scholarship Committee can understand. If an application is submitted in a language other than English, translation attempts will be made, but this may require computer translators, which do not always provide accurate translations.

Q: Are applicants expected to answer all the questions on the application form?

A: Yes, except when not applicable or relevant to the applicant. If an applicant fails to make a reasonable effort to answer the questions, their application will likely fail.

Q: Why does the application form ask for some personal information?

A: To gauge the diversity of the applications and assure gender parity in awards.

Q: What Wikimedia project usernames should applicants list on their application form?

A: All usernames that the applicant has used for contributing to Wikimedia projects. If a username is shared with someone else, this should be noted on the application. Unused accounts need not be listed. There is no obligation for applicants to list all accounts they own or use for editing. Editing activity in Wikipedia will not be a significant determining factor for awards. Instead, priority will be given to those who actively engage as Wikimedia organizers, instructors, and promoters.

Q: Can applicants provide links to pages on other websites as evidence in their answers?

A: Yes, this is encouraged. However, links to on-wiki or off-wiki sites should be associated with clear descriptions of the applicant's involvement and contribution. Reviewers will consider all relevant information available to them when reviewing applications.

Q: How much are applicants expected to write when answering the questions?

A: Enough to give reviewers a clear picture of the applicant. The appropriate length for an answer varies from applicant to applicant, depending on what they have to show. For most applicants, between two and three paragraphs per question answer will be sufficient. Reviewers do not expect to receive a dissertation, but overly short answers will usually fail to support the application.

Q: Can well-known/established users skip the questions asking about their participation in Wikimedia projects?

A: No. Having more contributions should typically mean providing longer answers, not shorter answers or no answers. On the grounds of fairness, all applicants are expected to make a reasonable effort to answer the questions.

Q: Can applicants edit their application after submission?

A: Unfortunately not. It is recommended that applicants draft their application carefully and ensure they say everything they need to say before submission.

Q: I am about to complete my application, will I receive an acknowledgment or confirmation email?

A: Applicants should see an on-screen confirmation of their submitted application once they hit the last submit button.

Scholarship value and reimbursement process

Q: What does a scholarship pay for?

A: Twenty full scholarships will be awarded. Full scholarships will cover:

Travel. Airfare must be arranged through the appointed Wikimedia+Libraries Convention travel agent. Note: Wikimedia+Libraries Convention will pay the travel agent directly.

Accommodations at Maynooth University. Breakfast is included. Note: Wikimedia+Libraries Convention will make the reservation for awardees.

80€, total, for meals during travel.

10€, total, for roundtrip public transportation from the airport to Maynooth and return.

100€, total, for travel insurance.

20€, total, for COVID testing

120€ if needed, for a visa.

Lunch and dinner will be provided at the conference for all attendees.

B: Numerous partial scholarships covering accommodations OR travel

Airfare must be arranged through the appointed Wikimedia+Libraries Convention travel agent. Note: Wikimedia+Libraries Convention will pay the travel agent directly.

Accommodations at Maynooth University. Breakfast is included. Note: Wikimedia+Libraries Convention will make the reservation for awardees.

Lunch and dinner will be provided at the conference for all attendees.

Q: What expenses are not covered by a scholarship?

A: Expenses that are not covered include any incidental costs (new passport, travel guides, plug adapters, clothes, etc.), local transportation during the conference (except airport transfers), costs related to being accompanied by families and friends, and all expenses associated with any vacation taken outside of the conference dates. Please note that during the conference, lunch and dinner are provided.

Q: How will scholarship funds be distributed? Send them the money? Reimburse them?

A: If you received a scholarship covering airfare, you will work directly with the appointed travel agent contracted by Wikimedia Community Ireland (WCI). The travel agent will charge WCI directly. If your scholarship covers accommodations, you will be assigned a room at the Maynooth University campus reserved and paid for by WCI. If you were awarded scholarship funds to cover the costs of a visa, travel insurance, or meals during travel, you will be reimbursed after the conference.

Q: Can scholarship recipients book their own travel arrangements and ask for reimbursement?

A: No, as a condition of applying, all applicants must agree to use the appointed travel agent.

Q: When should I register for the Wikimedia+Libraries Meetup if I have applied for a scholarship?

A: You will automatically be registered for the conference if you receive a scholarship. If you do not receive a scholarship but still wish to attend the conference, you must complete the registration process because the event is limited to 110 attendees. Please see the [Attendance] page on the Meta site for more information about registering.

Q: Will you provide visa assistance?

A: Wikimedia Community Ireland will provide an invitation letter for all scholarship recipients requiring a visa to attend the conference. We expect each recipient to contact their consulate or embassy on their own or through a visa service and pay any fees.