Professional Development Reimbursement
The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is pleased to announce the launch of the Postdoctoral Fellows Professional Development Reimbursement as outlined in the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement. This reimbursement supports postdoctoral fellows (PDF) engaging in additional professional development (PD) activities (e.g., conference; workshop) by providing financial assistance to Principal Investigators (PI) and Supervisors.
Postdoctoral fellows employed in the bargaining unit between March 3, 2024, and December 31, 2025, may be reimbursed by their PI/Supervisor for eligible PD expenses up to $500 per year of their contract in accordance with Article 27:03 of the collective agreement. This reimbursement supports participation in PD activities that PDFs identify to enhance their professional growth, subject to pre-approval by their PI/Supervisor. Approval of such reimbursements shall not be unreasonably withheld.
To support the enhancement of professional skills and career development for all PDFs, SGS is pleased to extend the Postdoctoral Fellows Professional Development Reimbursement to postdoctoral trainees engaged at the University of Toronto.
Overview
Postdoctoral Fellow Deadline: Set by unit/department
Graduate Unit/Department Submission Deadline to SGS: Within 12 months of the PD activity
Value & Duration: Up to $500, once per contract year
Required Legal Status: Available to both domestic and international PDFs
Reimbursement to Graduate Unit/Department/PI account: Processed biannually at the end of March and October
Eligibility
To be eligible, the professional development activity must:
- Be requested by the postdoctoral fellow (PD activities required or requested by the PI/Supervisor are ineligible)
- Be pre-approved by the PI/Supervisor
At the time of the PD activity, the postdoctoral fellow must be:
- A postdoctoral employee who is an active member of CUPE 3902 Unit 5; or
- A postdoctoral trainee with an active contract with the University of Toronto
Reimbursement for expenses:
- Must comply with the University of Toronto Guidelines for Travel and Other Reimbursable Expenses; and
- Cannot exceed $500 per PDF per contract year
Contacts & resources
PDFs are asked to contact their unit’s or department’s Postdoctoral Administrator/Business Officer for more information.
Postdoctoral Administrators and Business Officers can direct questions regarding the reimbursement process to:
Sarah Pickering
Postdoctoral Administrative Officer
Postdoctoral Office, School of Graduate Studies
sgs.postdoc@utoronto.ca