Professional Development Grant

The PSS Professional Development Grant supports professional development, growth and/or advancement opportunities for professional staff at Binghamton University. Activities funded by this grant will contribute to the overall success of the staff member(s), their campus unit and the University as a whole. Successful applications will make a clear case for how an activity will directly benefit both the individual and the university.

For questions regarding grant eligibility and submission criteria, contact pss@binghamton.edu.

How to Apply

Overview of Grant Eligibility and Requirements

Applications that do not meet the requirements listed will have their applications turned down without review.

  • Grant Eligible Employees

    Applications may only be submitted by current RF, M/C and/or UUP-represented professional staff.

    Full- or part-time faculty, graduate students and CSEA-represented staff are NOT eligible for this grant. Full- or part-time faculty may qualify for the UUP’s Individual Development Award, and graduate students may find options with the Graduate School, Graduate Student Organization (GSO) or Graduate Student Employment Union.

  • Reimbursement Process

    This grant is intended to reimburse personal payments toward past or future activities.

    For those who are unable to personally front their professional development expenses, you can request your department to cover the costs prior to reimbursement using a foundation account; any approved applications will reimburse your department directly. Your department must use a foundation account in order to avoid transfer fees.

    Remember that your application for funding will still undergo review and approval - you are not guaranteed to be awarded a grant. Those who personally cover their expenses will be given priority over those whose department covers the costs.

  • Reporting Additional Funding Sources

    If you are receiving additional support for this activity from another source, such as the UUP Individual Development Award, you must indicate the amount of funding in the “Budget” section of the application form including expenses that are temporarily covered by your department. You may only submit expenses not already permanently covered by internal or external funding sources. You are required to disclose all other sources of funding. (Note: all applications are considered on their own merits; having other funding source[s] will neither help nor hinder your application.)

  • Receipts and Documentation Submission

    Grant awardees must provide receipts detailing the dates and amounts of these costs no later than January 15, 2026 for fall submissions and June 15, 2026 for spring submissions. Failure to provide this documentation may result in your grant funds being rescinded.

    PSS will disburse grant funds after the activity is completed and if the recipient has submitted the required receipts.

Submission Cycles and Documentation Deadlines

  • Fall 2025

    Period for eligible activities: June 1, 2025 - Dec. 31, 2025
    Applications due by: Sep. 28, 2025
    Decisions issued on or around: Oct. 12, 2025
    Receipts/documentation due by: 30 days after start of event/activity or by Jan. 15, 2026, whichever comes first 

  • Spring 2026

    Period for eligible activities: Jan. 1, 2026 - May 31, 2026  
    Applications due by:     Feb 27, 2026
    Decisions issued on or around:     March 13, 2026
    Receipts/documentation due by:     30 days after start of event/activity or by June 15, 2026, whichever comes first 

Professional Development Grant Usage

  • Qualifying Activities and Costs
    • Basic, applied or historical research
    • Curriculum or instructional material development
    • Workshop, seminar, internship or course (not covered by another waiver)
    • Conference participation or attendance
    • Equipment purchases
    • Preparation of material for publication
    • Grant proposal development
    • Artistic or creative endeavors
    • Professional reading or independent study
    • Other work-related professional development projects or activities
  • Non-Qualifying Activities and Costs
    • Tuition already covered by Contract Article 46/SUNY tuition waiver
    • Stipends, compensation or salary
    • Personal expenses
    • Departmental operating expenses
    • Parking/traffic tickets or fines of any type
    • Per diem and mileage will not be paid but individual meals, gas, etc. with original receipts are allowed 
  • Common Funded Activities
    • Registration fees (for conferences, workshops, webinars, or other events) 
    • Travel expenses (transportation, lodging, meal receipts and other expenses)
    • Research support (computer time, network access or support, etc.)
    • Course-related supplies (books, materials, fees, etc.)

Apply Now - Spring 2026 Professional Development Grant

Currently accepting applications for the Spring 2026 Professional Development Grant through 11:59pm Friday, February 27, 2026.

Apply Now!!

Apply 

  1. PSS Professional Development Grant Application - The Spring 2026 Application is currently live with submissions being accepted until 11:59 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2026. Strong applications will detail all of the following criteria: individual need, benefit to the university, alignment to the university's strategic plan, and active involvement in the professional development opportunity (i.e. presenting or committee involvement).  
  2. Letter of Support - Applicants will be required to upload a letter of support from their immediate supervisor at the end of the application. This letter should describe their support for your activity and to explicitly state if the department will or will not be funding, in whole or in part, any of this professional development opportunity.

Additional Resources

Professional Development Grant Recipients

  • Fall 2025
    • Yongabi Ngoh, The Graduate School
    • Meghan Crist, Watson Advising
    • Shira Clark, Watson Advising
    • Tamar Boyajian, Alumni Engagement Office
    • Troy Norton, Residential Life
    • Busra Sahin, ITS - Innovation Team
    • Caitlin Light, First-year Research Immersion
    • Diana Murtaugh, Teaching, Learning, and Educational Leadership, Dept
    • Emily Ziemba, New Student Programs
    • Emily Oakley, ITS
    • Carrie Solomon, Center for Learning and Teaching
    • Caroline Antalek, External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Experiences
    • Amelia Pena, Anderson Center
    • Marissa Barbieri, Research Compliance
    • Patti Reuther, Decker College
    • Jessica Locke, Art History
    • Randi Scheiner, University Counseling Center
    • Sangmoon Kim, University Counseling Center, Health and Counseling
    • Francesca Bove Ottens, Office of Strategic Research Initiatives, Division of Research
    • Nicole Sirju-Johnson, Decker College
    • Laura Hensley, Theatre Department
    • Joshua Stone, Athletics
    • Jesse Fuca, Athletics
  • Spring 2025
    • Caroline Antalek, External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center
    • Marissa Barbieri, Research Compliance - IRB
    • Gabrielle Bonilla, DCNHS Dean's Office
    • Stacey Brown, Watson Career and Alumni Connections
    • Jean Carolus, SBDC - Small Business Development Center
    • Kayla Elder, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences (SOPPS)
    • Patricia Hill, Research Division
    • Gerald Hovancik, Creative Services
    • Sarah Kneebis, University Counseling Center
    • Kirsten Knox, Anderson Center
    • Elizabeth Kucharek, Mechanical Engineering
    • Ramona Lena, Division of Operations
    • Jessica Morris, School of Management
    • Kim Mousseau, Communications and Marketing
    • Epiphany Munoz, Office of Entrepreneurship & Innovation Partnerships
    • Marcus Newton, Art and Design
    • Emily Oakley, Information Technology Services
    • Laurel O'Connor, Advancement
    • Meryl Stromberg, Residential Life
    • Melissa Tinklepaugh, Division of Advancement
    • Jacob Weinheimer, Watson Career and Alumni Connections
    • Allen Wengert, Division of Communications and Marketing
    • Marnie Wrighter, Anderson Center for the Performing Arts
  • Fall 2024
    • Megan Konstantakos, Harpur Edge
    • Andrea Decker, CCPA Dean's Office
    • Matthew Wahila, S3IP - Analytical & Diagnostic Laboratory
    • Ramona Lena, Facilities Management
    • Marnie Wrighter, Anderson Center for the Performing Arts
    • Elizabeth Kucharek, Mechanical Engineering
    • Sandra Conklin, Decker Division of Advising and Academic Excellence
    • Kaitlin Maynard, Harpur Dean's Office
    • Patricia Hill, Research Division
    • Tamar Boyajian, Alumni engagement Office
    • Leah Joggerst, Harpur Dean's Office
    • Samira Marty, IGMAP
    • Kirsten Knox, Anderson Center
    • Mindy Wu, Asian and Asian American Studies
    • Troy Norton, Residential Life
    • Stacey Brown, Watson Career and Alumni Connections
    • Susan Dingman, University Center for Training & Development
    • Caroline Antalek, External Scholarships and Undergraduate Research Center
    • Megan Fegley, First-year Research Immersion
    • Nicole Flohr, Student Transition and Success
    • Jacob Weinheimer, Watson Career and Alumni Connections Office
    • Epiphany Munoz, Entrepreneurship & Innovation Partnerships
  • Spring 2024
    • Abagail Breidenstein
    • Stacey Brown
    • Michael Coyle
    • Kayla Elder
    • Megan Fegley
    • Laura Hensley
    • Patricia Hill
    • Whitney Inkster
    • Kirsten Knox
    • Kaitlin Maynard
    • Meghan McCarthy
    • Tenley Peak
    • Randi Scheiner
    • Mahum Siddiqi
    • Meryl Stromberg
    • Marjorie Weiland
    • Andrea Witteman
    • Marnie Wrighter
  • Fall 2023
    • Amy Breski
    • Stacey Brown
    • Sandra Conklin
    • Mikala Ferry
    • Jesse Fuca
    • Ola Habboub
    • Aaron Irvine
    • Sangmoon Kim
    • Ramona Lena
    • Caitlin Light
    • Kaitlin Maynard
    • Andrew Morris
    • Yongabi Ngoh
    • Troy Norton
    • Patti Reuther
    • Allen Wengert
    • Marnie Wrighter
  • Spring 2023
    • Kevin Boettcher, Office of Strategic Research Initiatives
    • Jennifer Bourassa, Facilities Management
    • Rebecca Cetta, Residential Life
    • Michael Coyle, Psychology
    • Jennifer Drake-Deese, Watson College Advising
    • Brian Grill, Residential Life
    • Courtney Ignarri, Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
    • Aaron Irvine, Decker College of Nursing
    • Corey Konnick, University Center for Training and Development
    • Maggie Moore, Athletics
    • Kim Mousseau, Communications and Marketing
    • Emily Pearson, Laboratory Animal Resources
    • Joey Raniero, Athletics
    • Beth Riley, Violence Abuse Rape Crisis Center (VARCC)
    • Manar Sabry, Student Affairs Assessment and Solutions for Engagement (SAASE)
    • Nyra Serrant, Health and Counseling
    • Meryl Stromberg, Residential Life
    • Yan Sun, S3IP
    • Margaret Wolford, Watson Graduate Recruitment and Admissions
    • Emily Ziemba, New Student Programs
  • Fall 2022
    • Jeremy Boyle, Office of Development
    • Stacey Brown, Watson Career & Alumni Connections
    • Patrick Collette, Communications and Marketing
    • Karson Hahn, Athletics
    • Kim Mousseau, Communications and Marketing
    • Sara Oliveira, Center for Learning and Teaching
    • Mekenna Tallman, Office of Emergency Management
    • Riley Thomas, TRIO Upward Bound
    • Vincent Van Nostrand, Chemistry
    • Marvin Vinluan, Watson Dean's Office
    • Rocky Weintrob, Financial Aid and Student Records
    • Allen Wengert, Div. of Communications & Marketing
    • Lidia Zaka, Business Office
  • Spring 2022
    • Jesse Fuca, Athletics
    • Sophia Givre, Dean of Students / TRIO
    • Kathleen Hart, Facilities Management
    • Gerald Hovancik, Creative Services
    • Stephanie Kotz, Harpur Academic Advising
    • Andrew Morris, CCPA Dean’s Office
    • Allison Nyamuame, Dual-Diploma Program
    • Cherie van Putten, Center for Learning and Teaching
    • Maggie Wolford, Watson Dean’s Office
  • Fall 2021
    • Caprice Chavez, Psychology
    • Tracie Conklin, Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences
    • Gary Dewey, ITS
    •  Jesse Fuca, Athletics
    • Zachary Jones, Telecommunications
    • Manar Sabry, SAASE
    • Sean Sherwood, Financial Aid and Student Records
    • April St. John, Computer Science
    • Genevieve Vallerga, Information Technology Services
    • Vincent Van Nostrand, Chemistry
    • Cherie van Putten, Center for Learning and Teaching
    • Allen Wengert, Division of Communications and Marketing
  • Spring 2020
    • Cohley Acenowr, Psychology
    • Meghan Crist, Watson College
    • Kerri Culhane, Intercollegiate Athletics
    • Aynur de Rouen, Libraries
    • Megan Garton, Teaching, Learning and Educational Leadership
    • Brian Grills, Public Archaeology Facility
    • Kathryn Keesler, Business Affairs
    • Claire Kovacs, Art Museum
    • Fabiola Moreno Olivas, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Partnerships
    • Linda Salomons, Dean of Students
    • Randi Scheiner, Counseling
    • Genevieve Vallerga, Information Technology Services
    • Allen Wengert, Communications and Marketing
    • Andrea Witteman, University Center for Training and Development
    • Margaret Wolford, Watson College
  • Fall 2019
    • Alycia Lackey, Biological Sciences
    • Amanda Osborne, Residential Life
    • Kari Bayait, Theatre
    • Caprice Chavez, Psychology
    • Jesse Fuca, Athletics
    • Madhuri Govindaraju, Office of Communications and Marketing
    • Monica Majors, Watson Dean's Office
    • Zoraya Cruz-Bonilla, Student Affairs Assessment and Strategic Initiatives
  • Spring 2019
    • Rachel Cavalari, Institute for Child Development
    • Samantha Christ, Center for Learning and Teaching
    • Marcia Focht, Art History
    • Marcus Newton, Art and Design
    • Alison Nottke, Residential Life
    • Lyne Roglieri, Facilities Management
    • Manar Sabry, Student Affairs Assessment and Strategic Initiatives
    • Casey Slocum, Print Solutions
    • Virginia Stever, Economics
    • Cheryl Tarbox, ITS
    • Vincent Van Nostrand, Chemistry
  • Fall 2018
    • Ada Robinson-Perez
    • Olga Petrova
    • Cheryl Tarbox
    • Patti Dowd
    • Charles Grochowiak
    • Jason Gilbert
    • David Lewis
    • Todd Schmidt
    • Trevar Haefele
    • Kari Bayait
    • Lucia Pfizenmaier
    • Kim Garrison
  • Spring 2018
    • Kristie Bowers, Athletics
    • Kelli Campa, Residential Life
    • James Hundley, Global Studies and LxC
    • Mark Jensen, Information Technology Services
    • Gregory Ketcham, Undergraduate Admissions
    • Celeste Lee, Harpur Academic Advising
    • Erin Marulli, Broome County HEARS
    • Cory Rusin, Broome County HEARS
    • Kate Shinko, University Counseling Center
    • Betsy Staff, New Student Programs
    • Virginia Stever, Economics
    • Casey Ward, CCPA - Promise Zone
  • Fall 2017
    • Robert Emmett, Athletics
    • Linda Salomons, Office of the Dean of Students
  • Spring 2017
    • Renee Andrews, Facilities Management Long Term Planning
    • Erik Colon, Educational Opportunity Program
    • Colin Evans, Residence Life
    • Mary Petrosky, Facilities Management
    • Josué Quiñones, Educational Opportunity Program
  • AY 2016
    • Mark Allen
    • Janine Bautista 
    • Andrea MacArgel
    • Alexsa Silva
  • AY 2015
    • Mary Jane Sager