Staff Supplemental Professional Development Grants

Grant Information and Application
Rubric

The University of Idaho Staff Affairs Committee is proud to offer the opportunity to supplement staff professional development through the Staff Supplemental Professional Development Grant.

Focus: The Staff Supplemental Professional Development Grant is designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of employees in a manner that will improve academic quality and service at the University of Idaho. The Staff Affairs Committee provides funding for this grant. It was created to support departments in funding exceptional professional development opportunities for staff. The Staff Affairs Committee Learning & Development Subcommittee will review all applications and make any determinations for funding.

Funding will be processed by the Staff Affairs Committee. This program does not support applications for research funding or equipment, nor for requests submitted retroactively. Currently only board-appointed staff may apply to the Staff Supplemental Professional Development Grant.

Eligibility: Currently, only board-appointed staff may apply. Current Staff Affairs Committee members are ineligible to apply.

Funding: The maximum award available for an individual request is $250, but it is possible that individuals may be funded at smaller amounts. Employees are encouraged to also seek funding from units and other sources, as this is intended to truly be supplemental.

Funding is available on first-come, first-served basis for eligible applicants who demonstrate a need and significant impact to the University as a whole. A set amount of funds are available for each term (Fall, Spring, and Summer). Approval of funding is contingent upon available funds. Once the funding amount has been maxed out, the sub-committee will no longer be able to fund grants. Therefore, it is recommended that staff plan for and submit applications as soon as possible.

If approved, applicants will work with their departments and the Staff Affairs Committee to have their department reimbursed for the funds. Proof of payment of expenses (receipts) must be provided by the applicant in order to In extreme cases, Staff Affairs has other funding options, however the funding may not be paid directly to staff.

Deadlines: Completed applications, including all materials and signatures, must be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the event. However, it is recommended that staff plan for and submit applications as early as possible in the semester, to increase likelihood of funding. Applications will not be funded retroactively.

Guidelines for Applying
Personal Information: Name and contact information for the applicant and supervisor must be provided and complete. Name and information for the event must be provided and should include any and all available materials pertaining to event purpose, dates, and training options (objectives).

Proposal: A 1-page maximum proposal must explain the purpose of the training opportunity and include a brief summary of how the applicant will disseminate knowledge and skills to the University of Idaho community. Applicants who demonstrate the greatest impact on the university as a whole are more likely to be approved for funding. Within 60 days of project completion, a brief report or presentation detailing the event and the professional development benefits to the grant recipient, and the greater community, must be submitted to the Staff Affairs Committee.

Support: The applicant should include a signed Travel Authorization or letter of support from the supervisor demonstrating ability to attend the opportunity as a University of Idaho representative.

Budget: The applicant must itemize costs for the event and include information on how the significant portion of the opportunity will be funded. This can be included as a separate spreadsheet, or may be added to the budget section of the Application Coversheet. Not only should the budget demonstrate the total costs, but the exact portion (not just monetary amount but expenditure) for which the applicant is requesting funding. The applicant must also provide proof of anticipated or incurred expenses (conference registration rate, hotel conference rates, quoted airfare; etc.).

Signatures: Signatures of both the applicant and the applicant’s supervisor are required.

Application Submission: All applications and supporting documents must be submitted via email to sa-learndev@uidaho.edu. For information regarding submission, please email the committee in advance.

Review Process: The Learning & Development Subcommittee of Staff Affairs Committee is responsible for reviewing, approving, and funding applications. Current Staff Affairs Committee members are not eligible to apply. Committee members will review applications at monthly meetings, via a quantitative and qualitative rubric, but may review via online communication in extreme circumstances. Applicants are encouraged to review the attached rubric for more information. Applications will be evaluated against eligibility, alignment with UI mission, goals, and general focus of commitment to professional development, effectiveness in meeting development needs, demonstration of impact to the university, as well as the applicant’s program/department, and quality of the case made for the event. Applicants may only apply for the grant once every academic year. Priority will be given to applicants who have not been funded previously.

Dispersal of Funds: Funds will be cost transferred (reimbursed) to the department responsible for the applicant’s travel. Preference is to reimburse departments in one lump sum, however other options can be explored between the committee and the applicant’s financial technician. The Grant may not directly reimburse applicants, and may only provide payment through the University’s budget system. Successful applicants will receive information on how to request reimbursement for funded costs.

Contact: For more information, please contact the Learning and Development Subcommittee: sa-learndev@uidaho.edu.

Note: The SPD Grant is a pilot program. Continued funding is dependent upon successful impact upon the University of Idaho community. Changes to the grant and application may be made in Spring 2013. Please contact the committee with any questions.

Use of University funds are subject to university audit. Staff Affairs Committee reserves the right to cease the supplemental grant program at any time with proper notice to funded, approved, or pending applicants.”

Grant Information and Application
Rubric