Professional Effectiveness Application Guidelines

For Faculty Development Fund (FDF) purposes, professional effectiveness refers to activities that directly strengthen a faculty member’s teaching, research, or creative work.

As specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), applications supporting research and creative work receive priority consideration over professional effectiveness requests. Applicants are encouraged to consult with their Associate Dean before applying.

Eligible activities may include:

  • Courses or workshops that enhance teaching or research|creative effectiveness
  • Certifications or professional training that enhance teaching or research|creative effectiveness

FDF does not fund activities primarily related to program development, administrative duties, or general professional skills that are not directly connected to teaching, research, or creative activity.

What to Explain in Your Application

Applicants must clearly explain how the proposed activity will support their teaching, research or creative work.

For teaching effectiveness, explain:

  • What knowledge, skills, or pedagogical approaches you will gain
  • How you will apply them in specific course(s)

For research or creative work, explain:

  • How the activity will advance a specific research agenda, scholarly project, or creative endeavor

Strong applications clearly address:

  • How the activity will enhance your teaching, research, or creative work
  • Which course(s), research project(s), or creative project(s) will benefit
  • Why the training, workshop, or certification is necessary
  • Why comparable support is not available through existing University resources

Application Requirements

Use the travel application form for all professional effectiveness requests. Your application must include:

  • A 250–750 word statement of objectives
  • An itemized budget and budget rationale
  • Explanations for any exceptions in your request
  • Workshop, conference, training, or support program announcement
  • Proof of registration cost or receipt
  • Transportation quotes/receipts or mileage map, if applicable
  • Three lodging quotes, if applicable
  • Local transportation estimates or receipts, if applicable

Applications with inadequate statements, missing price quotes, unjustified budget items, or inflated budgets are likely to be denied.