Dean’s Staff Professional Development Fund

Dean Staff Professional Development Fund Application

Guidelines

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) provides funding to support
staff professional development. The CAHSS Staff Professional Development Fund will provide
up to $1,000 per activity.

Eligibility: 

All regular staff members in the college are eligible to receive support from the CAHSS fund to
support a professional development activity once every two fiscal years. The professional
development activity must directly benefit the work you do for your department and the college.

Policies and Restrictions:

  • Regular staff members are limited to one award per individual every two fiscal years.
  • Funds can be used to cover costs related directly to professional development activities,
    including registration fees, transportation, food, lodging and travel (when permitted) to
    attend workshops, conferences, or webinars in accordance with state guidelines. Other
    examples of how the funds may be used include training in new software and purchases
    of specialized software.
  • The fund does not support computer purchases or upgrades, for-credit course tuition, or
    international travel.
  • Arrangements and purchases must follow and comply with USM and UMBC policies and
    procedures, including required forms and protocols. If travel is involved, all travel must
    be pre-approved through the UMBC Travel System.

Applications for Staff Professional Development Fund awards must include:

  • A brief description of the activity and how it will benefit the applicant and the work they
    are doing for the department and the college.
  • If applicable, a list of funds being contributed from other sources. The Staff Professional
    Development Fund is not intended to be used in lieu of other available funds. These may
    include, but are not limited to, departmental support and other internal or external
    funding, such as grants and Foundation accounts.
  • If applicable, an explanation from the Chair or Director of how work commitments will
    be covered during the applicant’s absence and the funds to be provided by the
    Department or unit. (The chair need not attach an additional memo; completing the
    Chair’s section of the application and their signature on the form indicates support for the
    request.)

Application Process:

  • Applications for the Staff Professional Development Fund should be submitted directly to
    the CAHSS RT Business Services queue (menu options: Business Services > Staff
    Professional Development Fund).
  • Applications during the current fiscal year may be submitted at any time and must be
    received by the Dean’s Office no less than ten (10) business days prior to the start date of
    the activity. (All sections must be completed before the request is processed. Incomplete
    forms will be returned to the Department and will result in a delay in the approval
    process.)
  • Requests to travel must be submitted through the Travel System for pre-approval in
    advance of traveling.
  • Receipts for travel costs must be submitted for reimbursement through the Travel System
    within ten (10) business days following the conclusion of the event, in accordance with
    USM and UMBC policy and procedures.