IFLA Professional Awards recognize the contribution, or potential future contribution, of an individual or an organization to the professional activities of IFLA or to the international library and information services sector in a specific professional area.

Financial prizes for attendance at an IFLA event, or cash prizes, which do not specifically provide recognition of the contribution of an individual or organization to IFLA’s professional activities or to the international library and information services sector in a specific professional area, are called “grants” rather than an “awards”.

The difference between the two was better articulated by the Professional Committee in April 2014 when they also approved some small updates to the guidelines for new awards.

Units working with sponsors who wish to introduce a new professional award should read the Guidelines for Proposing or Sponsoring IFLA Professional Awards.

A list of IFLA Professional Awards is also updated.