Search
Close this search box.

Professional Development Fund (PDF)

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 $125,000 in the 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.

FallWinterSummer
Event DateSeptember 1 – December 31January 1 – May 31June 1 – August 31
Application DeadlineJanuary 10June 10September 10
Fund DisbursementBy end of FebruaryBy end of AugustBy 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).

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).

The Executive Committee has made available $15,000 in the form of a one-time supplementary hardship fund to help alleviate hardship experienced by members during the...

All Benefits and Funds by Unit   Please note that for many funds available to graduate students, members apply using their York Student Financial Profile...

Childcare Fund The Childcare Fund is a fund in the amount of ~$270,000 per year. It is meant to offset the childcare costs for members...

Ways and Means Fund Committee The key duties of this committee are to review and adjudicate applications, awarding funds to members whose financial hardships have...

This is a fund of $50,000 administered throughout the year. The Sexual Assault Survivor Fund (SASSF) Committee understands that sexual assault can impact many areas...

There are two reasons to get an extension to your graduate funding as a Unit 1 or Unit 3 member: Ontario Human Rights Code based...

When you were offered admission to a York University graduate program, you received a letter guaranteeing a minimum amount of funding for the duration of...

Skip to content