Development Support Fund
Taking charge of your learning and professional development is vital to your success at W&M. The university's development support fund (DSF) provides funding to support the continued growth of W&M employees.
The Board of Visitors (BOV) has granted these funds to our employees. The assemblies (W&M Staff Assembly and Professional & Professional Faculty Assembly), in conjunction with University Human Resources, manage, evaluate and award these funds.
The Development Support Fund Committee is accepting applications for education and training that take place July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. There is a rolling deadline for applications. Applications will be reviewed and awarded monthly.
Guidelines:
- Up to $1,500 per person
- Teams may apply for awards up to $1,500 per team member with a $7,500 total award per team.
Fund recipients are expected to work closely with their respective business managers to comply with W&M travel, fiscal and other applicable policies. Pre-approval from your supervisor is required for upcoming events.
Who is eligible?
Full-time and permanent part-time classified, operational, professional and professional faculty W&M employees are eligible for the supplemental funds. Note: VIMS employees are not eligible as VIMS has the VIMS Professional and Staff Development Fund. Contact Grace.Massey@vims.edu for more information.
What activities are eligible?
- Online workshop/course (non-credit)
- Tuition-based course outside of W&M (non-degree seeking)
- Conference/workshop/symposium
- Travel associated with these events within the contiguous 48 states
What activities are not eligible?
- W&M courses offered through the Employee Education Assistance Program
- Software or Software Licensing
- Membership fees for associations/organizations/clubs
- Professional Licensing fees
- Strategic Planning Retreats
- Team Building Events
Application Process
Submit A Development Support Fund Application
Award Distribution
The DSF Committee will evaluate applications and send an email to applicants with the committee's final decision. Your supervisor will be copied on the email.
All funds are applied as reimbursement. Applicants must submit an expense report through Chrome River following attendance at the conference/class/workshop/etc. The applicant will be reimbursed through the Chrome River process. The applicant's department will submit a journal voucher for funds to be reimbursed.
Only actual expenses will be reimbursed, even if the award amount is higher.
In the event you are unable to use the funds, notify the Development Support Fund Committee so that your award can be redistributed to others.
Need Help?
If you would like assistance with the application process, please email [[devsupportfund]].
If you need to access a computer, laptops are available for check out at Swem Library. See Laptop Checkout Kiosk for more information.
Checklist
- Find a conference, workshop, class or other educational opportunity that you would like to pursue.
- Estimate the cost of all expenditures: registration, lodging, transportation, meals, etc.
- Request supervisor approval to attend AND confirmation that your department will pay the expenses which will be reimbursed to the department following the completion of the activity.
- Submit the development fund application through the online form.
- Once you receive notification that your application has been approved for funding, complete a pre-approval through Chrome River.
- Register for the conference/class/workshop and arrange travel (reserve hotel room, reserve rental car or book flight, apply for cash advance, etc.).
- Attend the conference, workshop, etc.
- Upon returning, submit an expense report through Chrome River for reimbursement of your expenses. Remember to include copies of receipts.
- Work with your department's fiscal coordinator to submit a journal voucher (JV) to FinOps for department reimbursement.
Learning Follow-Up
All award recipients will be asked to provide a follow-up assessment that will capture information regarding how the funds were utilized and how this opportunity benefited you and the university. We use this information to gain continued funding from the BOV, so it is important for you to convey what you've learned and how it helps you with your work here at William & Mary.
Questions?
If you have questions, please submit them to [[devsupportfund]].
