Professional Development

In accordance with Article 19.08 of the ACUMAE collective agreement, professional development funding is available to employees who have (at the time of their application) a minimum of two years of continuous full-time service with Concordia. 

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If your proposed activity requires travel, please be aware that additional medical and travel insurance, costs related to isolation, medical care, testing, hotel stays, and flight interruption/delay/rescheduling will not be covered by the ACUMAE Professional Development Fund.  Although the situation with travel and in-person activity has been relatively normal, we all know that this could change abruptly and could make planning for future activities difficult.  Moreover, should issues arise while travelling, personal costs can rapidly escalate (not to mention the complexity and inconvenience). Therefore, it is recommended that you exercise the same reflection and judgement as you would with personal travel.

 

How to apply:

• Complete the PDF application form (save as a personal copy on your computer including your name and date in the file name).  Include scanned copies of all backup information.  Return to andie.zeliger@concordia.ca. 

• Ensure that your application is complete (i.e. signed approval from your supervisor, quotations for seminars, workshops or courses.).  Your supervisor may send his/her approval directly.

• Incomplete applications will be returned.

  
Please keep the following in mind as you prepare your application:

• The application form must be completed in full, and ensure that you include all required information and supporting documentation.  Incomplete applications will be returned. 

• Highlight the relevant sections of the supporting documentation; for example the applicable registration fees for a conference, workshop, seminar or course.

• Please ensure that exchange rates and applicable taxes are taken into consideration in your budget.

• The amount awarded is the maximum amount that can be claimed. 

• Your supervisor’s approval must be obtained if the activity requires you to be absent from work. Additionally, your supervisor must provide a brief rationale as to the benefits of the activity for the applicant concerning his/her job.

• You may not apply for an activity that has already taken place. 

• Indicate clearly if you have partial funding for your activity (e.g. from your department).

• Requests for the reimbursement of fees where a tuition waiver has already been applied are not eligible.

• Applicants are encouraged to first seek local service providers for activities where available. 

• Funding previously received in support of the pursuit of a degree/certificate/diploma or other accreditation/certification does not oblige the Committee to continue to support the continuation and/or completion of the activity.

• Funding is available on a first-come/first-serve basis with priority given to first-time or infrequent applicants.

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The Committee uses the following guidelines:

• There is a maximum of $3,400 available for any one application so that funding can be offered to as many people as possible.  An application may be fully or partially supported (i.e. in some cases your department may offer to cover part of your expenses).

• Ensure that the conference/workshop/course itinerary and schedule are included with the supporting documentation.

• Funds cannot be used to purchase hardware (computers, laptops, etc.).  Software is permitted as it relates to professional development.

• Association memberships, accreditation/licensing, professional dues, books, magazine and journal subscriptions are not eligible for funding. 

• Normally, there will be a maximum of 1 award per fiscal year per employee for a maximum allocation of $3,400.  Multiple applications may be accepted for smaller amounts, to be awarded at the discretion of the Professional Development Committee.  Exceptionally, more than one application per employee will be accepted in a given year and only if funds are available.  

• A report of activities is required following the event (to be submitted with the expense claim).

• For expense claims, please refer to My CU Account (concordia.ca) to submit your expense report and to access resources that can assist you with this (from the left menu, select “Finance & Procurement” then go to “My Expense Reports” tile). The standard rules for claiming expenses apply.  

 

Please refer to the Concordia travel policy at: https://www.concordia.ca/content/dam/common/docs/policies/official-policies/CFO-3.pdf 

 

All funds must be spent within one year of receiving the award.