At UCPEA, we recognize that our people are our most valuable asset. Through collaboration and collective action, we are dedicated to securing access to professional development funding and tools that go beyond job-required training. This commitment not only strengthens the essential services our members provide but also supports their career growth. Thanks to the efforts of the Professional Issues Committee and active members like you, we can access a variety of resources to enhance skills and advance careers. These opportunities are designed to help you continue learning and progressing in your professional journey.
Important Update on FY 2026 Professional Development Award (PDA) Requests:
If your membership or activity begins on or after July 1, 2025, please wait to submit your PDA request until July 1st. At this time, we are also unable to set the maximum award level for Fiscal Year 2026, as funding availability for the PDA pool has not yet been determined.
At this time, we are unable to set the maximum award level for Fiscal Year 2026, as funding availability for the PDA pool has not yet been determined.
Professional Development Funds
A key benefit UCPEA has bargained for members is funding for professional development activities, including professional memberships, outside of job-required training. The Professional Issues Committee oversees and sets the guidelines for distributing a pool of $360,000 per fiscal year.
Information on eligible activities and how to apply can be found below.
When Professional Development is Required for Preforming Departmental Work
Certain costs, particularly those required for departmental work, should be covered by your department, not by UCPEA Professional Development funds.
UCPEA Contract Article 34.3: When management requires the employee to obtain work-related training, it shall be paid for by the University.
It is important that you recognize that if a professional development activity or professional membership is required for you to do your job, your department should cover the cost. Members should be certain to point out this fact to management to help maintain our strong contract now and in the future. Allowing management to exploit the UCPEA Professional Development Award by not fulfilling the University’s obligation to pay for professional development activities weakens this important contractual benefit by reducing the maximum award amount for UCPEA members. By standing firm on this issue, we help protect the integrity of our contract and ensure that all members continue to benefit from the full value of our professional development funding.
Professional Development Application
The Professional Development Award (PDA) application has transitioned to Kuali Build. You can find the link to the new form below. This updated system allows applicants to track both their award status and their allocation balance for the year more easily.
Approved Use of Fund Awards
Professional development funds can be used for conferences, workshops, and/or training programs. Funds can also be used for professional membership dues. To support our members’ career growth, the Committee can approve funding requests for professional certificates, pending review. Funds cannot be used for license renewals, admission fees, or standardized tests.
FY 2025 Maximum Allocation
To maximize the number of applicants receiving funding, the allocation limit has been set at $750 per applicant for FY 2025.
Timeline
The Committee meets twice per month to review member applications. It is important to submit the application 15 days before the PD activity or membership due date and to submit the reimbursement/expense reallocation no later than 28 calendar days after the end of the PD activity date.
Submitting this information is essential to tracking and accurately balancing the funds awarded and disbursed. For the same reason, it is also important to let the UCPEA Office know if the PD award is not used. If you submit the reimbursement/expense reallocation more than 28 calendar days after the end of the PD activity date, you will be unable to utilize the awarded funds.
Financial Procedure
With the widespread usage of department Procards and Travel Cards, the reallocation of expenses has been used more frequently than reimbursements. Members are encouraged to contact their department’s fiscal officer to plan their professional development activities and/or membership dues for a professional organization. Deadlines are the same for both reallocation and reimbursement.
If you book travel independently and need to cancel, you will be responsible for any costs incurred - neither the University nor the UCPEA Professional Development Fund will cover these expenses. For instance, if you book a non-refundable flight or hotel through Expedia and later cancel, you will NOT be reimbursed for the cost. We strongly encourage booking travel through Anthony Travel (in Concur) as they will support any cancellation or postponement of travel booked, including obtaining credits for the unused tickets.
Apply for Professional Development Funding
LinkedIn Learning
The Professional Issues Committee is partnering with Human Resources to provide members access to LinkedIn Learning, a digital library with over 6,000 courses in technical, business, software, and creative fields. This service is funded through HR’s portion of the PDA pool.
LinkedIn Learning offers an opportunity to enhance your professional skills, learn new software, and explore topics of interest for your career growth. You can watch entire courses or individual videos, bookmark courses, and track your completed courses. This service is available 24/7 on both desktop and mobile devices.
To access it, visit https://myapps.microsoft.com/ and navigate to the LinkedIn Learning app to activate your license. Log in using your University NetID.