UBC faculty and staff can access professional development funds to support career growth.
Funding to help grow your career at UBC
These funds are intended to encourage and support your professional development. It includes learning activities that will enhance your knowledge, skills or performance, as well as to support your career growth at the university.
Eligible claims
Funds can be used for a variety of professional development activities based on your learning goals and career path at the university.
Funding details by employee group
The funds are negotiated as part of the collective agreement bargaining process for most employee groups.
Before submitting a claim, review the details below for your employee group to:
- find activities typically covered by the fund.
- find your individual claim limit each year.
Understanding Professional Development entitlement for faculty members
Faculty can claim reimbursement for professional development expenses that enhance the performance, ability, or effectiveness of a member’s work at the University. Refer to the information below regarding your entitlement to financial reimbursement.
How to submit your claim
Submit your PD fund claims directly through Workday. For step by step instructions, as well as general resources and help with Workday, visit the Integrated Service Centre. After logging in with your CWL, you can search the knowledge base for instructions on how to submit a claim (i.e. how to create a professional development fund expense report).
Your manager or supervisor will check your claim as it related to your current role and career growth, and approve directly in Workday.
Your claim will also be reviewed by a PD Fund Expense Partner within 15 business days, however the processing time may take longer if you submit an incomplete claim or if information is missing. You will receive the claim back if the PD Fund Expense Partner requires additional information or if your claim is ineligible for reimbursement.
About your reimbursement
Funding is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once your claim is processed you’ll receive confirmation in Workday.
- If you paid out of pocket, you'll be reimbursed by direct bank deposit.
- If your department paid on your behalf, your department will be reimbursed directly.
PD funds and taxation
The funding provided is not included as taxable income on your T4 slip. This means that you cannot claim the value of any funds received through this program as part of a tuition tax credit or for any other credit on your annual tax return. Please refer to Canada Revenue Agency – Eligible Tuition Fees for more information.
What managers need to know
As a manager or supervisor, you are accountable for reviewing the relevance of your faculty or staff's PD Fund claim as it relates to their current role and career growth.
View more information on the page for managers and administrators.
Other learning activities
For UBC courses or programs eligible under the tuition waiver benefit, maximize your waiver benefit before making a claim from your professional development funds.
Looking for other learning opportunities? Visit the workplace learning page to learn more.
Questions?
If you have questions about these funds or how to submit claims, please contact Integrated Service Centre.