Academic & Professional Development Fund

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic, travel regulations and restrictions imposed by the Government of Canada, Government of Alberta, and Athabasca University, the APDF Committee continues to temporarily adjust their procedures.

APDF Committee is currently accepting applications to ONLY attend/present at an (ONLINE) conference, symposium, workshop, or training session. Eligible expenses may include professional, membership and other fees that are mandatory components of conference registration fees.

APDF applications to attend/present (IN-PERSON) at a conference, symposium, workshop, or training session are not being accepted at this time. Any travel that contravenes the provisions of the relevant jurisdictions involved (e.g., federal, provincial, employer) will not be covered by APDF funding.

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The Academic and Professional Development Fund (A&PDF) supports dissemination of knowledge, including the outcomes of research and advances in pedagogical and business practices.

The fund is designed to support the following activities:

• presenting a keynote address, paper, poster or panel presentation at a conference, symposium or workshop
• attending, but not presenting at, a conference, symposium, workshop or training session where the knowledge acquired will be shared with the university community
• attending a conference, symposium or workshop that the applicant has assumed a major role in organizing
• organization of small-scale knowledge mobilization activities, such as workshops and seminars, to encourage collaboration and the dissemination of research results both within and beyond the academic community

Awards are up to

• $1,000 (CDN) for an event within Canada
• $1,400 (CDN) for an event outside Canada
• $3,000 (CDN) for a knowledge mobilization activity either within Canada or outside of Canada

The award will be pro-rated for recipients who are employed on a part-time basis.

The Academic and Professional Development Fund is funded primarily by Athabasca University. Additional funds are derived from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Small Institution Grant (SIG). Together, these funds comprise the annual Academic and Professional Development Fund budget, which is administered by the Academic and Professional Development Fund Committee.

Recipients of Academic & Professional Development Fund Grants, including SSHRC Exchange & SSHRC Mobilization Grants, should acknowledge the funding in related publications and presentations.

Deadlines

Application deadlines are on the following days (or the next business day):

• February 1
• June 1
• October 1

More information

• Academic and Professional Development Fund Policy
• Academic and Professional Development Fund Procedures
• Academic and Professional Development Fund Committee Terms of Reference
• Academic and Professional Development Fund Committee Membership
• SSHRC SIG Criteria
• SSHRC Guidelines for Effective Knowledge Mobilization