Professional Development

​​

When to apply:

There are three calls for applications per year:

• Late August with an early September deadline.

• Mid-December with an early January deadline. 

• Late March with an early April deadline.

 

The exact call deadline is announced by email. Members will receive an email announcement at least two weeks prior to the call deadline. They will receive a response to their application within three weeks of the call deadline. The activity must be completed and funds must be claimed in UNITY within one year of the call deadline.

 

Application assessment:

 

The Committee uses the following guidelines to assess applications:

• Do not fund activities that have already taken place (started before the call).

• Priority is given to first-time or infrequent applicants.

• A maximum of one (1) award per fiscal year per employee for a maximum allocation of $4,000.  Multiple applications per employee may be accepted for smaller amounts, at the discretion of the committee and if funds are 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.

• An application may be fully or partially supported.

• Ineligible expenses include :

  • Hardware (computers, laptops, etc.) and software, with the exception of software that directly relates to a professional development request.

  • Association memberships, accreditation/licensing, professional dues, books, magazines, and journal subscriptions.

  • Tuition fees where a tuition waiver has already been applied.

• Expenses are evaluated in accordance with the University’s Travel and Conference Policy (CFO-3)  and Handbook. 

 

How to apply:

​

1. Complete the PDF application form  (save as a personal copy on your computer including your name and date in the file name).

2. Include scanned, screenshot or PDF copies of all supporting documentation, ideally combined into one PDF.

3. Ensure that your application is complete:

   • Has your supervisor given their approval (signed or by email), if you will be away from work?

   • Have you included quotations/screenshots for travel expenses (i.e. airfare, train, taxi, hotel)?

   • Have you factored in the exchange rate and taxes in your budget?

   • Have you included quotations/screenshots for conferences, workshops or courses registration fees?

4. Email your application to acumae-pd@concordia.ca  prior to the call deadline.​

 

Important Note: As you prepare your application, please refer to the University’s Travel and Conference Policy (CFO-3)  and Handbook on the Financial Services website for guidelines on travel expenses. 

​

Additional application guidelines:

• The application form must be completed in full. Ensure that you include all required information and supporting documentation (i.e. the detailed conference/workshop/course itinerary and schedule). Incomplete applications will be returned.

• Highlight relevant sections of the supporting documentation (i.e. registration fees, including meals, etc.). If there are costs incurred in funds other than Canadian, indicate the original currency but convert and request the equivalent amount in Canadian funds.

• The amount awarded is the maximum amount that can be claimed. We do not revise your approved amount if you go over the amount approved. Overage is expected to be paid by the employee.  It is your responsibility to ensure that exchange rates and applicable taxes are taken into consideration in your budget.

• 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 to the applicant’s job. This can be completed in the form or by email.

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

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

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