Non-Senate Faculty Professional Development Fund

Description of the Program

In accordance with the last UC-AFT/UC Memorandum of Understanding, a Professional Development Fund has been set up to provide Unit 18 Non-Senate Faculty (NSF) with material support for professional activities.  As the relevant section of Article 9, Paragraph F of the M.O.U. states, “Individual NSF will be eligible to submit requests for funding for professional development including but not limited to professional meetings, training seminars, software and paid leave, all of which should be in support of pedagogical endeavors.”  For the granting of funds, “pedagogical endeavors” shall be interpreted to include not only activities specifically related to coursework but also others that promote the professional growth and effectiveness of the applicant.

Procedure

This committee awards professional development funds twice a year.  The application deadline for fall and winter grants will be November 1, for spring and summer grants, March 1.  Applications may include requests for retroactive support for activities that take place before the deadline.  In evaluating applications, the Professional Development Committee (PDC), comprising no more than five (5) NSF volunteers approved by the UC-AFT, will follow university standards for making faculty awards.  For that reason, the application requests the notification and signature of the department chair/program director, especially when a leave of absence is being requested.  Recommendations of the PDC will be passed along to the Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for review and subsequent action.  Approved funds will be disbursed through the applicant’s department, at which time receipts and other proof of expenditures will be required.

Get the application here (Word format).

Criteria

Under the terms of Article 9, any Unit 18 Non-Senate Faculty member (NSF) may apply for professional funds.  Please note that research faculty in the medical college do not belong to Unit 18 and thus are not eligible for this program.  The most common grants cover conference costs (travel, hotel, fees) for participants of record (organizers, panelists, presenters); however, funds have also been granted for equipment, material, and travel related to course improvement and academic research.  Note that actual conference participants are far more likely to be funded than mere attendees, that one who can justify a research project or a request for equipment and material on pedagogical grounds will be preferred over one pursuing more personal goals. 

 In the interest of assuring an equitable distribution of available monies, preference will be given to applicants who have not received a grant in the previous two years.  Funds approved may be less than or more than amounts requested, depending on the availability of money and the applicant’s supporting information; therefore, the application should include the most detailed and comprehensive budget possible.