RF Annual Professional Development Fund

The Professional Development Fund exists to support graduate students employed as Research Project Assistants (RPAs) by the Research Foundation in attending relevant conferences, workshops, and seminars during their RPA appointment period only. 

The Research Foundation will establish a $50,000 annual Professional Development Fund to be administered by the Graduate School.

Eligible expenses include:

• Travel-related expenses, including transportation, lodging, and meals.
• Registration and membership fees for conferences, workshops, or seminar attendance.

Each RPA may receive up to $1,250 per academic year. One-half of the annual fund will be made available at the beginning of the fall semester, and the remaining half will be made available at the beginning of the spring semester. Applications are reviewed as they are submitted. Funding is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted and is not guaranteed. Applications will close once funding has been depleted.

Please note:

• All reimbursements must be submitted via Concur. Additional information on using Concur can be found on their website.
• If traveling internationally, a Travel Registry must be submitted in Concur prior to conference attendance.
• Applications must be submitted after attending the event, as proof of attendance will be required to process the reimbursement.
• While Fellows are on the Research Foundation payroll, they are not considered employees and are therefore ineligible for this funding. Graduate students, regardless of employment status, may consider the funding opportunities available through the  Graduate Student Organization (GSO).

 

The Application Process

Graduate students currently employed by RF as Research Project Assistants can request reimbursement for monies expended toward student conference travel. 

Please see below for the application processes. Should questions arise, please contact Graduate School Finance and Administration.

 

Student Reimbursement Method

Students who paid for conference related expenses  and who have not received funding for the conference from another source can apply for reimbursement.

1. Submit a RF Professional Development Fund Google Form.

          Note: To access the Google form, applicants must be signed into their Google account with a stonybrook.edu address.

2. If funds are available, the student will be notified via email by Graduate School Finance and Administration of any approval(s) and next steps.