PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (PD) GRANT PROGRAM
2015-2016
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
University Personnel Development Committee (UPDC)
I. Purpose: The UPDC Professional Development (PD) Grant Program supports professional development
opportunities for all university employees. These opportunities are provided by the university to expand
the knowledge base and increase effectiveness of employees in their respective areas, including
developing new skills and training and retraining of personnel across all program units. Professional
development opportunities funded through the program should:
1. Improve responses to the changing needs and interests of students.
2. Develop expertise in new techniques and delivery systems based on changing technology.
3. Increase productivity through personal and professional renewal.
*In response to a UW-System initiative, UPDC encourages proposals on issues of inclusivity.
II. Funding guidelines:
A. Award categories: Applicants must apply to one of two proposal categories:
(1) Training/Workshop: Funding for attendance at a training event or workshop. PD funds
support short-duration projects that expand applicant’s expertise as needed by a particular
unit/department/college/division. Development and training that is needed to support ongoing, normal
job duties are the responsibility of the unit/department/college/division. Limit: UPDC does not fund
multiple requests from one applicant to attend the same training/workshop within two years.
Eligibility: All categories of Unclassified, University and Academic Staff are eligible to apply for funding.
Employees must be at least a .5 FTE (a half-time employee).
(2) Conference/Meeting: Funding for attendance at a conference or meeting, however, note
that faculty cannot apply for conference or professional meeting attendance as they are funded through
their department/college/Vice Chancellor. PD funds support short-duration projects that expand
applicant’s expertise as needed by a particular unit/ department/college/division. Development and
training that is needed to support ongoing, normal job duties are the responsibility of the
unit/department/college/division.
Limit: UPDC does not fund multiple requests from one applicant to attend the same
conference/meeting within two years.
Eligibility: All categories of University and Academic Staff are eligible to apply for funding. Employees
must be at least a .5 FTE (a half-time employee).
**Note: Applicants can only apply for one PD grant each academic year.
B. Maximum award amount: $3,000
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C. Allowable costs: Travel, lodging, daily per diem (meals) and registration fees. All travel estimates
must be supported by copies of estimates from the State authorized travel agent
(TravelWise/Concur). Please include a copy of the UW TravelWIse calculator for Lodging Maximums &
M&IE Per Diem Allowance Calculation. If you are driving, you must include a print out of your trip via
MapQuest (or a similar program) and the Online Driver Authorization Verification
D. Award cycles: PD grants are awarded twice annually during the academic year. The fall deadline
usually occurs in October, and the spring deadline usually occurs in February/March. Please check the
ORSP website for specific deadline dates:
www.uwsp.edu/acadaff/orsp/Pages/default.aspx
Money for grants funded by UPDC will be available up to 90 days after the project period end date. Any
funds left unspent will be returned to the UPDC. If necessary, a no-cost extension may be requested by
emailing the UPDC Chair (twright@uwsp.edu), General Ledger (bsengbus@uwsp.edu) and ORSP
(scourtne@uwsp.edu). Please state the reason for the request and the anticipated project end date.
E. Application process:
1. Contact your department chair or direct supervisor to inform them of your intent to apply for
the funding. They will need to approve your request.
2. Optional: Contact the Office of Research & Sponsored Programs (ORSP) to review past
successful applications. You can also contact UPDC committee members to learn more about
developing a successful proposal.
3. Write your proposal. Collect supporting documentation such as a letter(s) of support, training
brochure or other information, and documentation of projected costs.
4. Obtain required signatures on your application cover page (department chair or director).
5. Submit your application with all required signatures in person to ORSP by the required
date/time.
F. Post-award reporting: Recipients of Professional Development Program grants will provide the UPDC
with a final report. In the report, provide a description of the project so that UPDC members can
evaluate the success of the project. Submit the report to ORSP within 90 days of the completion of the
proposed training/workshop/conference/professional meeting. UPDC grant recipients are not eligible
to apply for another professional development grant until they submit a final report to ORSP.
III. Application format:
1. Workshop/conference details: Describe the event that the applicant will attend. If possible,
include a URL to the event’s website, an event brochure and/or other documentation of the
event. (2 pg. max.)
2. Attendance justification: What is the need for the training/conference attendance? Explain how
the activity will benefit the applicant, and how it will support unit/department objectives. (2 pg.
max)
3. UWSP UPDC Budget worksheet and detailed budget justification with supporting material as
necessary.
4. CV or resume summary (a brief, 2 pg. max. CV)
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5. Letters of recommendation/support. Applicants are required to solicit recommendation/support
letters from Unit Supervisors, Department Chairs, or Discipline Coordinators. If the project
involves collaborative arrangements with outside entities, the application should include letters
of support from the partner institutions, organizations, or individuals.
Any questions regarding the guidelines should be directed to the
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs or the UPDC Chair.
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