Student Professional Development Grant

Student Professional Development Grant

Student Professional Development Grant Pilot: 

Purpose: This initiative serves as an opportunity to provide limited grant funding for professional development opportunities to students (ex: conference attendance, professional meetings, workshops, or professional organization membership). This funding is outside of program sponsored professional development (ex: NCCCMA Winter Seminar, SOG Courses, etc.). 

Process: To apply for consideration for these funds, you are required to: 

  1. Complete the Application Form prior to the experience. 
  2. Attend a Professional Development Plan Meeting with the Assistant Director of Career, Alumni and Employer Engagement. 
  3. If approved, register and attend PD Experience
  4. Upon completion of the PD Funding opportunity, students will be required to fill out a survey about experience
    1. Students must complete this form and request funding within 30 days of the experience.
    2. Students will not be reminded to fill out the survey 

Determination Criteria and Next Steps: 

  • Determination Criteria:
    • After the application form and Professional Development Plan meeting are completed the Assistant Director of Career, Alumni and Employer Engagement determines approval of funding. If approved for funding, further details will be provided on how to utilize the professional development grant, and the reimbursement process. Please note expenses will be reimbursed after the experience is complete and expenses are only reimbursable if students apply before the experience occurs. Additionally, students are only eligible for one funding source from the UNC MPA Program for each experience. 
    • Requests are considered on a rolling basis. Funds are awarded on a first-come basis. Submission of a funding application does not guarantee funding. 
    • Each student is eligible to apply for up to $250 in reimbursable funding during their time in the program, and as noted above, applying for funding does not guarantee it will be awarded. A student is eligible for funding while currently working towards their degree (either taking classes or completing their PWE).
  • Post-Professional Development Experience: 
    • Upon completion of the PD Funding opportunity, students will be required to fill out a survey about their experience which may be used for things like the MPA Matters blog or UNC MPA social media. The survey is also where students will provide expense information and required documentation for reimbursement purposes.