Professional Development Fund for Per Course Instructors

St. John’s Campus

The Provost and Vice-President (Academic) has established an annual Professional Development Fund for per course instructors totalling $10,000 per year. Normally, eight awards to a maximum of $500 each shall be approved in each of the Fall and Winter semesters and four awards to a maximum of $500 each shall be approved in the Spring semester.

Unallocated funds shall be available in accordance with the following:

  • Provide additional funding to successful applications where expenses may exceed $500 and/or provide an additional award(s);
  • Unused portions of up to $1,000 may be carried forward to the next release.

Once an application for funding is approved, the Per Course Instructor shall have up to 8 months from the date of approval to use the funds.

Purpose of the Fund

Funds are used to support the presentation of papers (or creative works/performances) or participation in panels at academic conferences or enrollment in non-credit courses and/or attending relevant professional development opportunities.

Eligible expenses may include registration fees, transportation, accommodation, and per diem, in accordance with Memorial University’s policy Travel – General.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. The Per Course Instructor shall be on the seniority list and shall hold a Per Course Instructor appointment at the time of application.
  2. Per Course Instructors hired under Clause 13.08 are not eligible.
  3. The academic conference or relevant professional development opportunity must be related to the Per Course Instructor's employment history (as a Per Course Instructor at Memorial) and/or their usual teaching assignment or area of specialization.

Approval Process

Applications shall be submitted to the Dean by September 15, January 15, or May 15. Eligible applications shall be forwarded to the Provost by September 30, January 30 or May 31.

Applications shall be approved by the Provost on the recommendation of the Dean.

In cases where demand for professional development funds exceeds the availability of funds, the Provost shall give priority to applications on the following basis:

  1. Requests to present a paper at an academic conference or to present creative works or performances in an equivalent context;
  2. Requests to participate in a panel discusion at an academic conference;
  3. Requests to enroll in non-credit courses;
  4. Requests to attend an academic conference.  

Within each of the categories listed above, priority will be given to applicants on the following basis:

  1. Applicants who have not previously received professional development funds;
  2. Applicants who have not previously received professional development funds in the past three years;
  3. Applicants who have received professional development funds in the past three years;
  4. If all of the above are equal, the applicant's seniority will be the deciding factor.

Successful applicants shall submit the requisite travel claim and supporting documentation (i.e. receipts) required by the Department of Financial and Administrative Services.

At no time shall the annual value of the Professional Development Fund exceed $12,000.

Grenfell Campus

The Vice-President (Grenfell Campus) has established an annual Professional Development Fund for per course instructors totalling $1,500 per year. Normally, three awards to a maximum of $500 each shall be approved. Normally, two awards to a maximum of $500 each shall be approved in the Fall semester and one award to a maximum of $500 shall be approved for the Winter semester.

Unallocated funds shall be available in accordance with the following:

  • Provide additional funding to a successful application where expenses may exceed $500 and/or provide an additional award(s);
  • Unused portions of up to $1,500 may be carried forward to the next release.

Once an application for funding is approved, the per course instructor shall have up to 8 months from the date of approval to use the funds.

Purpose of the Fund

Funds are used to support the presentation of papers (or creative works/performances) or participation in panels at academic conferences or enrollment in non-credit courses and/or attending relevant professional development opportunities.

Eligible expenses may include registration fees, transportation, accommodation, and per diem, in accordance with Memorial University’s policy Travel – General.

Eligibility Criteria

  1. The Per Course Instructor shall be on the seniority list and shall hold a Per Course Instructor appointment at the time of application.
  2. Per Course Instructors hired under clause 13.08 are not eligible.
  3. The academic conference or relevant professional development opportunity must be related to the Per Course Instructor's employment history (as a Per Course Instructor at Memorial) and/or their usual teaching assignment or area of specialization. 

Approval Process

Normally applications shall be submitted to the Dean by September 30; eligible applications shall be forwarded to the Vice-President (Grenfell Campus) by October 15. Subject to funding availability, applications may also be submitted to the Dean by February 15; eligible applications shall be forwarded to the Vice-President (Grenfell Campus) by February 28. 

Applications will be approved by the Vice-President (Grenfell Campus) on the recommendation of the Dean. 

In cases where demand for professional development funds exceeds the availability of funds, the Vice-President (Grenfell Campus) shall give priority to applications on the following basis:

  1. Requests to present a paper at an academic conference or to present creative works or performances in an equivalent context;
  2. Requests to participate in a panel discusion at an academic conference;
  3. Requests to enroll in non-credit courses;
  4. Requests to attend an academic conference.

Within each of the categories listed above, priority will be given to applicants on the following basis:

  1. Applicants who have not previously received professional development funds;
  2. Applicants who have not previously received professional development funds in the past three years;
  3. Applicants who have received professional development funds in the past three years;
  4. If all of the above are equal, the applicant's seniority will be the deciding factor.

Successful applicants shall submit the requisite travel claim and supporting documentation (i.e. receipts) required by the Department of Financial and Administrative Services.

At no time shall the annual value of the Professional Development Fund exceed $3,000.