When is the application cycle?
Applications for FY 25 will open in early 2025 .
Who can apply?
Eligibility for this award includes individuals who are regular full-time U-M staff members working at every academic campus (Ann Arbor, Flint, Dearborn) and Michigan Medicine who are in good standing, with one or more years of service. Individuals who are part-time or employed by the University but not considered staff (such as student workers, post-docs, etc.) are not eligible for this award.
How do I apply?
You must be logged in with your uniqname (Level I) username and password to access the application. If you are not logged in, you should see a link at the top of the page prompting you to "Login to view this form."
Please carefully read over all the information located on this page. If your request meets the listed criteria and you choose to apply, the application is at the bottom of this page. The form is available until January 8, 2024.
What is the timeline for using the award?
If an application is awarded in FY24, the funds can be used for the activity submitted in the original application if the activity was completed between July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025 (FY24-FY25). For the third year of the award, the timeline for using the funds will be July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
Will I be taxed if I receive CDF award funds?
Yes. CDF funds are considered taxable income and are reported on the awardee’s W2. If an applicant receives an award, the Career Development Fund Administrative Committee will provide funds to cover the estimated additional taxes so the funds received by the awardee after taxes will be as close to equaling the requested funding amount as possible.
Will I have to provide receipts, proof of participation, etc., if selected for an award?
Yes. All awarded individuals and teams will have to provide proof of participation and all related receipts, as well as a one-page essay describing how this opportunity had a positive impact for you or your team.
Are funds available for work required trainings and responsibilities?
No. CDF awards are not meant to replace departmental or organizational funding for items needed to fulfill employee work requirements/responsibilities. If work-related support is needed, we highly encourage you to reach out to your supervisor and departmental HR business partner for additional guidance.
Can the funds be used to pay for tuition or coursework?
Yes, while proof of participation is not required for the initial grant submission, the funds may be used to cover a portion of the course expenses. Proof of course registration and successful course completion (including a copy of the official transcript) will be required.
Will every applicant/team be awarded?
Unfortunately, no. While we hope to award as many grants as possible, not every application will be awarded.
When will I know if I have been selected?
All applicants, whether selected or not, will be notified by the end of May 2025.
If awarded, can I change what I want to use the funds for?
No. Applications are evaluated and awarded for the specific development opportunity submitted. To ensure a fair and equitable process for all, awarded funds can only be used for the specific opportunity that was originally submitted and approved.
If awarded, how will individuals receive the funds?
At the time applicants are notified of receiving the award if an individual has already paid for the development opportunity, then they will receive a reimbursement by submitting a Concur Expense report. If they have not already paid for the development opportunity, then they will receive an advancement.
Please note that to ensure compliance with tax implications and other financial restrictions on the funds, the Career Development Fund for Staff (CDF) has a process in place for allocating the funds directly to individual awardees, not through their departments.
If awarded, when can individuals expect to receive the funds?
Exact dates/times will vary depending on the type of disbursement (reimbursement or advancement) and other factors. The estimated timeline for receiving notification of awarded funds for FY25 is anticipated to be May 2025.
If awarded, will any of my information be used or disclosed?
Yes. Personal and aggregated information will be shared with various stakeholders. Also, we would like to share some of the personal impact stories with our campus community.
If a team is selected and individual team members drop out, will the application still be eligible for funding?
Possibly. The number of team members is part of the review criteria and therefore overall scores for team application could be affected if team members drop out after an application has been awarded.
Can I submit a late application after the cycle has ended?
Unfortunately, no. We are unable to accept late submissions to ensure a fair and equitable process for all.
If I miss this cycle, when is the next cycle?
There will be another opportunity to submit applications for the Career Development Fund for Staff in early 2025. At this time the exact dates have not been determined, but we anticipate opening the next application cycle in early February.
May I submit an individual application as well as a team application if I’m a member of a team?
Yes, the team award requires a professional development opportunity/activity to be done collectively by members of the team. If members of the team would like to engage in a personal or professional development opportunity separately, they may submit applications as individuals.
How are funds distributed for a team?
For team applications that receive the award, there will be an additional step before funds are disbursed. A full list of all team members will be required along with the team’s desired distribution/allocation of the funds for each of the team members.