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.

Eligibility and Requirements

Please read carefully. Applications that do not meet the requirements listed below will have their applications turned down without review. If you are unsure whether you meet one of the following criteria, please contact PSS (pss@binghamton.edu) before submitting.

1. 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.
2. 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 now 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. However, please remember that your application for funding will still undergo review and approval - you are not guaranteed to be awarded a grant. Additionally, those who personally cover their expenses will be given priority over those whose department covers the costs. (Please see “Qualifying vs. Non-Qualifying Activities” below.)

3. 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.)

4. There will be two application cycles in 2023-2024:
   • Fall submission deadline: Covers eligible costs incurred between June 1, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2023.
   • Spring submission deadline: Covers eligible costs incurred between Jan. 1, 2024 and May 31, 2024.
5. Grant awardees must provide receipts detailing the dates and amounts of these costs no later than Jan. 15, 2024 for fall submissions and June 15, 2024 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.

Deadlines

Fall:

Period for eligible activities:	June 1, 2023 - Dec. 31, 2023
Applications due by:	Oct. 2, 2023
Decisions issued on or around:	Oct. 16, 2023
Receipts/documentation due by:	30 days after start of event/activity or by Jan. 15, 2024, whichever comes first

Spring:

Period for eligible activities:	Jan. 1, 2024 - May 31, 2024
Applications due by:	March 4, 2024
Decisions issued on or around:	March 18, 2024
Receipts/documentation due by:	30 days after start of event/activity or by June 15, 2024, whichever comes first

Please email PSS@binghamton.edu with any questions.

Qualifying Activities/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/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 

Frequently funded activities include:

• 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.)

Examples of Review Criteria

• Individual need
• Benefit to the University
• Alignment to the Road Map strategic plan
• Active involvement (i.e. presenting or committee involvement)

If you have any questions concerning this program, please contact the Professional Staff Senate.

To apply: 

Complete the PSS Professional Development Grant Application. Applicants will be required to upload a letter of support from their immediate supervisor. In this letter, please ask your supervisor to 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. Contact pss@binghamton.edu if you have any questions.

Grant Application

Sample Grant Application

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FAQs

How much funding is offered?

PSS typically receives dozens of applications each grant cycle. While we strive to allocate more dollars to meet the high demand on campus, the total grant budget for 2023-24 is $25,000, restricting our ability to fully fund the majority of applications. Some, and often most, grants are given at less than the full request.

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Current Professional Development Grant recipients

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

Past Professional Development Grant Winners

• Mark Allen
• Janine Bautista 
• Andrea MacArgel
• Alexsa Silva

2015

• Mary Jane Sager