Applications are now open to the Unit 2 Teaching Development Fund! Please submit your application using the online MachForm.
The deadline for applications is February 1, 2026. Since this date falls on a weekend, applications will be accepted until Monday, February 2, 2025.
The Teaching Development Fund (TDF) assists Unit 2 members in the development of a new program of study, new courses and teaching materials, or teaching skills. While Teaching Development projects may include a research component, the Teaching Development Fund is not intended for projects that are primarily research-based. Funding for such projects is available from the CUPE Research Grants Fund, details of which are available on the CUPE 3903 website under Unit 2 Funds.
The terms and conditions of the TDF are subject to Article 15.18 of the Unit 2 Collective Agreement.
Categories of Grants
Two categories of grants are available:
- Major Teaching Development Grants: two (2) grants, each worth the equivalent of one course directorship in income
- Minor Teaching Development Grants: five (5) grants of up to $3,000 each.
Eligibility
Teaching Development Fund grants are available to Unit 2 members only.
Applicants can apply for both the Major and Minor Teaching Development Grants, but they must submit individual applications for each; applicants who would like an unsuccessful Major project proposal to be considered for Minor grant funding must submit a separate Minor grant proposal.
Applicants cannot receive both a Major and a Minor award in the same year.
To be eligible for a Major grant, members must be in the bargaining unit or have been in the bargaining unit within the ten (10) months preceding the application deadline. As well, they must have held at least one Type 1 or equivalent position (e.g., one CD, three tutor (type 2) contracts, etc.), in each of the two twelve-month periods ending August 31 preceding the application date (i.e., Sep 1, 2023–Aug 31, 2024 and Sep 1, 2024–Aug 31, 2025).
Per Article 15.18 of the Unit 2 Collective Agreement, a minimum of 1/3 of the awards will be made to applicants who self-identify in the application form as a member of one or more of the designated employment equity groups.
Application and Proposal Instructions
Submit your application using the online form. Your application must include:
- the title of your project,
- a detailed project proposal,
- your curriculum vitae,
- the names of two references familiar with your teaching and/or who can evaluate your proposed project (referees should send supportive letters directly to teaching@yorku.ca before the application deadline), and
- a copy of your work history (downloaded from York University’s HR Self-Serve site).
Your detailed project proposal, maximum four (4) pages in length, should describe or explain:
- the scope and objectives of the proposed course/project for which you are seeking support, including (where relevant) the program of study, new course, teaching materials, and/or teaching skills that the grant will help you develop;
- the support/resources needed to design and prepare it effectively;
- the potential benefits of your proposed course/project to you and/or your home department(s)/hiring unit(s);
- how the project’s outcomes may extend beyond the proposed class or project;
- any preparatory work already done (including, if applicable, a bibliography);
- your proposed timeline for or schedule of the work to be completed;
- an outline of the percentage of funding you will use to cover both your stipend and any expenses (please note that expenses are limited to 50% of total funding);
- how the results will be shared and how they will enhance the process of teaching and learning at York University.
New course development proposals should list similar courses offered at York and describe the relationship between them and the proposed course.
Please keep in mind that Committee members will not be experts in your area of interest. It’s your responsibility to clearly explain all aspects of the project so that the Committee can make an informed decision.
Adjudication Process and Awards
Teaching Development Grants are awarded on the academic merit of the proposal. Preference will be given to projects whose results are applicable beyond the individual applicant. An adjudicating committee comprising two elected Unit 2 members, one full-time Faculty member, and the Associate Vice-President (Research) or designate will award grants (usually by mid-March).
Successful applicants will receive their grants in the form of payroll remuneration, normally throughout the 2025–26 fall/winter term(s) but may also choose to spread the grant out across the entire year (Sept 1, 2025–Aug 31, 2026) or hold it in a single term. The remuneration is income and subject to payroll taxation.
In addition to receiving the salary of one course directorship, Major Grant recipients will receive one type 1 (1.0) applicable prior experience (APE, or seniority) credit and will designate a position previously held to which the APE credit will be applied. Awardees must abide by the Appointment Caps set out in Article 12.05 during the academic year in which the grant is held, and the receipt of APE credit is subject to the yearly seniority cap set out in Article 12.07(iv).
Awardees must submit a brief report on the results of their projects/programs to CUPE 3903 via the Teaching Commons at teaching@yorku.ca no later than one year after the termination of the award.
Any questions? Contact Joseph Tohill, Vice-President Unit 2, at vpu2@cupe3903.org.