ACADEMIC STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS

II. Objectives

The UWS Academic Staff Professional Development Program has been established to facilitate individual professional development that contributes to the needs of the institution. The program has three main objectives:

1. Individual Professional Development. Providing an opportunity for academic staff to enhance their effectiveness in meeting changing needs and roles in higher education.
   
2. Improved Program Quality. Contributing to improving program vitality during a period of anticipated resource constraints and rapidly changing administrative and educational needs.
   
3. Improved Institutional Effectiveness. Enhancing and refining those abilities most directly related to the mission and goals of UW-River Falls.
   

III. Criteria -- Proposals will be evaluated according to the following guidelines:

1. The focus of activities should be on improving effectiveness of staff in their current roles rather than in enhancing abilities that allow the staff member to compete for a more responsible position.
   
2. The program does not provide leave for formal study leading to a degree.
   
3. Priority will be given to projects that impact groups of academic staff members rather than individuals. (For example, higher priority would be given to a project that would offer an on-campus workshop for a group of academic staff members than to a project that would provide for off campus conference attendance for one staff member.)
   
4. Consideration will be given to the cost effectiveness of the project.
   
5. No more than one proposal from an individual academic staff member will be accepted during a fiscal year.
   
6. Projects that support the diversity will be given priority consideration. Other issues of current concern may be identified and specified in the call for proposals.
   
7. Other considerations of the committee will be: To what extent does the plan address a clearly identified individual, professional or program quality need? Is the plan realistic? Are the details well described?

IV. Review Committee

1. The proposals will be reviewed by the Academic Staff Professional Development Committee of the Faculty and Academic Staff Development Board.

V. Procedures

1. The committee will divide proposals into those that are recommended for funding and those that are not. They will rank order those that are recommended for funding in priority order.
   
2. The committee may send proposals back to their authors for modifications.
   
3. The results of the committee's deliberations will be forwarded to the Chancellor for review and approval.
   
4. Recipients are to be notified, by the Chancellor, prior to July 1 of the funding year.
   
5. The Accounting Office will establish a special account for each funded project.
   
6. Each recipient will be required to submit a final report to the Faculty and Academic Staff Development Board assessing the impact of the project, by June 30 of the fiscal year funded.
   

VI. Format for Proposals

1. The standard required cover page is is available here as a "fill in" MS Word form. You must use this form to apply for funds. Download the form, fill in the gray boxes with the relevant information, print the form and submit seven copies of your application to the Director of Faculty and Student Academic Support Programs, 104 North Hall. to this document.
2. The body of the proposal should address:  description of proposed activity, indication of who and how they will benefit, a timetable for conducting activities, a detailed budget, and supporting documents.
3. Details of the budget should not contain any "miscellaneous" expenses and any supplies and expenses should be specified.