Eligibility

Program Objectives

The Individual Development Awards Program is designed to support a variety of professional development projects or activities by assisting eligible employees to develop their full professional potential and to prepare for advancement. Employees who accrue annual leave are not required to charge those credits for any project or activity funded by an Individual Development Awards Program.

The types of support available include:

  • Registration fees for conferences or workshops.
  • Professional organization membership fees which are bundled with a free or reduced members-only rate for conference or workshop attendance expenses.
  • Travel and related expenses (including lodging and meals).
  • Tuition at the maximum allowable SUNY rate at the time of application, excluding associated fees.
  • Fees for licensing or certification exam prep courses (e.g., USMLE Step 3 exam, medical board exam, or bar exam prep course, etc.). *See notes below for exam and licensure reimbursements.
  • Fees for continuing education courses (e.g., CME or CLE courses).
  • Entrance or access fees to institutions or archives that house materials which are related to, and the review or use of which is necessary, to complete the research or artistic endeavor. 

*Reimbursement for Certification and Licensure Exam Fee Reimbursement Program can be accessed at: https://oer.ny.gov/nysuupclefr

*Reimbursement for Certification and Licensure Reimbursement Program Renewals can be accessed at: https://oer.ny.gov/nysuup-jlmc-clrp-renewals-program  

The Individual Development Awards Program has the following eligibility requirements:

  • Full-time or part-time employees.
  • Full-time employees must be in the bargaining unit at the time of the award and during the dates of the project or activity.
  • Part-time employees who meet the eligibility tests for 26 weeks' coverage for health benefits, and who are eligible for health benefits during the summer, will also be eligible for funding for a project or activity that occurs during the summer whether or not they are on the payroll.
  • The proposed project or activity must:
    • Enable the employee to meet one or more of the criteria specified in the following SUNY Policies of Board of Trustees: Title A. Evaluation of Academic Employees, §4. Criteria (a) - (e); Title B. Promotion of Academic Employees, §2. Criteria (a) - (e); or Title C. Evaluation and Promotion of Professional Employees, §5. Criteria (a) - (e), of Article XII Evaluation and Promotion of Academic and Professional Employees, of the Policies of the Board of Trustees.
  • Meet particular areas of interest or activities within the categories eligible for support as identified by the Campus Professional Development Committee.
    • Projects or activities must fall within the following categories:
    • Basic, applied, or historical research;
    • Curriculum or instructional material development;
    • Workshop, seminar, internship, or course work not covered by Article 46, Program for Tuition Assistance or SUNY tuition waiver;
    • Conference participation or attendance;
    • Preparation of material for publication;
    • Grant proposal development;
    • Artistic or creative endeavors;
    • Other work-related professional development projects or activities.

INELIGIBLE EXPENSES: Except as otherwise provided previously, expenditures are not eligible for reimbursement that include, but are not limited to:

  • Payments to third parties, including subcontracting, for administering the project or activity.
  • Supporting the cost of fringe benefits.
  • Fees associated with tuition.
  • Professional organization membership fees (except where they are bundled with a free or reduced members-only rate for conference attendance).
  • Payment to the employee including extra-service payments, payment to reimburse a campus for the employee’s time, or stipends to the employee.
  • Payments to others for assisting with a project or activity including research assistants, administrative support, or research subjects.
  • Purchasing food to be provided to attendees at conferences, seminars, workshops, or other events.
  • Purchasing furniture, equipment, or non-consumable supplies, including computers, laptops, books, software, or databases.
  • Payment of rent or other fees for long-term use on or off-campus space.
  • Funding for journal subscriptions, internet or cellular services, advertisements, or any item or service that serves an ongoing need.
  • Costs related to renovations, office furniture, or insurance.
  • Purchasing items or accommodations for students or others related to a course, project or activity, or research.
  • Cash or cash equivalent awards including gift cards, savings bonds, etc.
  • Costs for items that are otherwise provided by the campus or other funding sources.

A complete listing of program guidelines are available on the GOER website .

Questions?
Office of Admissions

118 Bush Hall