Professional Development Reimbursement Fund

The School of Graduate Studies (SGS) is pleased to announce the launch of the Postdoctoral Fellows Professional Development Reimbursement Fund as outlined in the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement. This fund supports postdoctoral fellows engaging in additional professional development (PD) activities.

Postdoctoral fellows employed in the bargaining unit between March 3, 2024, and December 31, 2025, may be reimbursed for eligible PD expenses up to $500 per year of their contract. This fund supports participation in PD activities that postdoctoral fellows identify to enhance their professional growth, subject to pre-approval by their Principal Investigator/Supervisor.

To support the enhancement of professional skills and career development for all postdoctoral fellows, SGS is pleased to extend the Postdoctoral Fellows Professional Development Reimbursement Fund to postdoctoral trainees engaged at the University of Toronto.

Award overview

Award Category: Postdoc Awards
Postdoctoral Fellow Deadline: Date set by unit/department
Graduate Unit Deadline: Deadline to SGS: within 12 months of the professional development activity
Value & Duration: Up to $500 per contract year
Required Legal Status: Domestic/International
Results: Reimbursement to the account of the Principal Investigator/Supervisor occurs during the last week in March and October

Purpose

  • The Postdoctoral Fellows Professional Development Reimbursement Fund supports postdoctoral fellows engaging in additional PD activities (e.g., conference; workshop). It provides additional financial assistance in the administration of Article 27:03 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.
  • To support the enhancement of professional skills and career development for all postdoctoral fellows, SGS has extended this opportunity to postdoctoral trainees engaged at the University of Toronto.
  • This fund supports participation in PD activities that postdoctoral fellows identify as opportunities to enhance their professional growth, subject to pre-approval by their Principal Investigator/Supervisor. Approval of such reimbursement shall not be unreasonably withheld. See Article 27:03 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement for more information.

Eligibility

  • The PD activity must be:
    • Requested by the postdoctoral fellow (PD that is required/requested by the Principal Investigator/Supervisor is ineligible).
    • Pre-approved by the Principal Investigator/Supervisor.
  • At the time of the completing the PD activity, the postdoctoral fellow must be a:
    • postdoc employee who is an active member of CUPE 3902 Unit 5 bargaining unit; or
    • postdoc trainee who has an active contract with the University of Toronto.
  • Reimbursement for expense(s):
    • Cannot exceed $500 per postdoctoral fellow per contract year.

Application process

Contact your unit’s / department’s Postdoctoral Administrator or Business Officer for more information.

Results

Your Postdoctoral Administrator or Business Officer will communicate the outcome of your application.

Contacts & resources

Postdoctoral Administrators and Business Officers can direct questions regarding the Postdoctoral Fellows Professional Development Reimbursement Fund to:

Sarah Pickering
Postdoctoral Administrative Officer
Postdoctoral Office, School of Graduate Studies
sgs.postdoc@utoronto.ca