The Request for Session Proposals for the upcoming Inform USA Virtual Conference - The Ripple Effect is now open and ready to accept your session ideas! 

The primary audience is I&R professionals from all levels of any organization providing community navigation in the US or Canada. This is a live conference held on November 13th & 14th, 2025.

This is a great opportunity for those looking to start teaching or speaking, or share valuable experiences and lessons with peers. Selected speakers will be promoted leading up to the conference and honored for their expertise and willingness to share wisdom and experience with the Inform USA community. 

We recognize that all submissions are (in a sense) working drafts, and presenters will have time to tweak or enhance the initial RFP before the final conference copy is presented.  We also are open to submissions that envision a panel that may not yet be fully populated. We welcome submissions from in-the-trenches practitioners and supervisors/managers and trainers, IT staff, military members, consultants, academics, authors, and corporate vendors.

The deadline to submit a proposal is July 18, 2025.

Inform USA is pleased to invite applications for our Scholarship Grant, designed to support professional development within the Information & Referral (I&R) sector. This scholarship provides funding for conference attendance or achieving certification, ensuring our members have the resources they need to grow in their careers.

Scholarship Details:

• Covers conference ticket or certification costs (travel/accommodation are not included)
• Preference will be given to first-time applicants
• Open to those in career transition seeking to remain in the I&R field

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a member in good standing for at least one year, with no outstanding balances
• Applications must be submitted by an organization (e.g., a member of management determines that they would like to apply for a scholarship for an employee of the organization).
• Only dues-paying Individual Members (meaning you do not work for an organization or your organization does not hold a membership) can apply for themselves.
• The organization's Membership Profile must be complete

Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your professional growth! Submit your application by August 31, 2025 to be considered.

Inform USA Unique Projects Grant Requirements

Inform USA is pleased to offer grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 in support of professional development and innovative projects that advance the field of Information & Referral (I&R).  

Budget and Funding Requirements:

• Grants cannot exceed 50% of the overall project budget. Additionally, only up to 50% of the matching budget can consist of in-kind support. (equating to a maximum of 25% of the total project budget)
• Applicants must provide both an agency-wide budget and an I&R-specific budget (or a demonstration of which line items cover I&R programming).
• A budget narrative must clearly explain how the project will be funded, including contingency plans if the Inform USA grant is not awarded.

Preferred Outcomes:

Preference is given to projects that:

• Include a system for monitoring and demonstrating sustainability.
• Can be completed within 12 months of receiving the funding.
• Provide short-term advancements benefiting a significant number of Inform USA members.
• Introduce new, impactful findings or best practices for I&R.

Ineligible Uses of Funds:

Grants will not be awarded for:

• Fixed costs related to renovations, deferred maintenance, or regular operating expenses (e.g., software, salaries, consultants, etc.).
• Previously conducted programming, such as existing regional conferences or training events.
• Fundraising events or sponsorships of other events.

Additional Requirements:

• All projects must have signoff/approval from the applying agency’s executive leadership.
• Projects must focus on innovation rather than further demonstrating already known and tested processes or technologies.

Applicants should ensure that their proposals align with these requirements before submitting an application. Don’t miss this opportunity! Submit your application by August 31, 2025 to be considered.