Professional Development and Travel Funds

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAVEL FUNDS

The Office of the VPAA, acting through the AVPAA, administers Faculty Development funds to support the participation of full -time faculty in professional conferences, workshops, and other professional development opportunities. Faculty can apply for funds as early as June 1, but, in any case, should apply for support as soon as they identify the need and, for full consideration, they should apply no later than February 15. Applications made after February 15 will be considered, but may not be funded as fully as earlier applications; applications made later than April 30 are unlikely to be funded.

Once the budgeted funds are exhausted, no additional professional development funding will be available for any reason.

Guidelines on the VWU website provide detailed information regarding the parameters and procedures for Faculty Development Funding applications, as well as the electronic form on which the application is submitted. To the extent that funds are available, conferences will be funded in relation to these limits:

 Facultyformallyparticipatingin aconferenceorseminar (thatis, presentingapaper, giving a poster presentation, moderating or otherwise participating in a panel discussion,or acting as an officer of the professional organization): Up to $1,500.  Faculty attending a conference or workshop but not formally on the program: Up to $500.  Course enhancement funding: Up to $500.  Membership in a professional organization: Up to $200.  Faculty attending workshops or other instructional events that develop pedagogical knowledge that helps faculty teach more effectively: Up to $500.

Please note that the firm total individual annual funding cap is $1,500.

Summer Development Grants

Each year the university can provide funding for several faculty development projects. This funding is available as grants to individuals or for teams of faculty. The primary purpose of this program is to encourage a wide range of professional development activities.

Projects may include research aimed at publication, the enhancement of teaching effectiveness, development of interdisciplinary interests, the design of innovative and/or interdisciplinary courses, and experimentation with new instructional modes. Funds may be used to cover travel necessary for carrying out research. Projects may also include attending seminars, short courses, or similar activities.

The full guidelines for developing a faculty development proposal and application forms may be obtained from the Office of the VPAA. Each year a spring-time deadline for proposals is announced, and an ad hoc peer committee is formed to review the proposals and to make recommendations to the VPAA with respect to the awarding of grants.