Eligibility

The Data Literacy Incubator Program is open to librarians currently working at community colleges in the United States. For the purposes of this program, community colleges include primarily associate-degree-granting two-year postsecondary institutions, such as those designated as community, junior, or technical colleges. We especially welcome applications from community college librarians at Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as rural or geographically isolated institutions and Title III, Part A-eligible institutions. No advanced technical skills are required to participate in the program.

Choose Your Participation Track

The Data Literacy Incubator Program offers two participation tracks. Please select the track that best fits how you plan to participate:

  • Individual Track: For community college librarians participating independently
  • Institutional Team Track: For teams of 2–3 people from the same institution. Each team must include at least one community college librarian; other members may include librarians, faculty, instructors, or other relevant institutional partners

Application Requirements

The application is brief. Please be prepared to provide:

  • Your contact and professional information (for team applications, contact and professional information for all team members).
  • Your interest in the program: Why you are interested in participating in the Data Literacy Incubator Program. (150 words max)
  • An identified data literacy need or opportunity: A specific data literacy need or opportunity you have observed among students at your institution. (150 words max)
  • An initial idea for your initiative: What you would like to develop or implement through the Incubator to address the identified need or opportunity. (250 words max) NOTE: Your proposed idea will be considered as part of the selection process. While you do not need to have a fully developed project plan at the time of application, you should have an initial idea of what you would like to develop or implement. Selected participants will have opportunities to refine and further develop their ideas during the Incubator program.
  • Institutional support: You don't need administrative approval to apply. However, if selected, you'll need any necessary support from your supervisor or administration to develop and implement your initiative as part of your work during the program. This may include flexibility with other responsibilities.

Important Dates

  • Application Opens: October 14, 2026
  • Application Deadline: November 13, 2026
  • Selection Notification: We anticipate notifying selected participants in late November or early December 2026
  • Program Orientation: December 2026 (Participants will attend a virtual orientation session. Live attendance is encouraged, and a recording will be available for those who cannot attend)
  • Program Period: Spring 2027 (Flexible extension period Summer 2027)
  • Conference Presentation: TBD

Submit Your Application

Both individual applicants and institutional teams should use the same application form.

Questions About Applying?

If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, please email dlcc@unt.edu