The Professional Development Fund (PDF) is a reimbursement fund available to members of all bargaining units of CUPE Local 3903 to support them in attending and presenting at conferences, and with other professional development expenses. The total expenditure of the PDF shall not exceed the amount set in the current collective agreements per contract year. You can apply via jotform, linked here!
Disbursement Schedule
This money is distributed three times per contract year, in periods that correspond with academic terms and peak conference periods. (Please note: there is a delay currently in Fall 2025 PDF disbursement. Apologies!)
| Fall | Winter | Summer | |
| Event Date | September 1 – December 31 | January 1 – May 31 | June 1 – August 31 |
| Application Deadline | January 10 | June 10 | September 10 |
| Fund Disbursement | By end of February | By end of August | By end of November |
Applications must be submitted AFTER the conference/event has taken place.
Priority
Priority will be given to applications for events that occur within the current adjudication session (e.g.: applications for conferences in October will be given priority in the Fall session [January 10th deadline].) Applications for events that occurred outside of the current adjudication session will be treated as low priority (e.g.: applications for conference in October will treated as low priority in the Winter session [June 10th deadline].)
Maximum Awards
- For Type A activities (conference presentations), one will receive no more than $1,200 in any academic year (beginning in 2024).
- For Type A activities, please include proof of your attendance at the conference by including either a finalized conference program or a letter from the conference organizers confirming your presentation!
- For Type B, C, and D activities (conference attendance; courses, workshops, and/or programme funding; and other professional development expenses and mandatory membership fees), one will receive no more than $600 in any academic year (beginning in 2024).
Applicants will receive no more than a total of $1,200 across all activity types in any academic year.
Resubmission
It is possible for members to resubmit an application for an activity that received less than the maximum annual award in a previous adjudication session within the same contract year, but such applications will be treated as low priority and dependent on the financial state of the PDF at that time.
Exclusions
The PDF does not cover capital costs such as equipment, software, stationery, and books, and does not cover food and drink costs. Expenses without adequate documentation (receipt, proof of purchase, etc.) will not be considered.
If needed for accessibility reasons, you can still submit a paper application form by emailing the committee (pdf3903@gmail.com) to arrange for an electronic copy that you can print or picking up a paper copy at the union office (143 Atkinson).