Funds for Professional Development

Funding Sources

Current Seattle Central faculty,* classified staff, and exempt employees may request professional development funds. 

Grant funding will be considered only for activities not yet completed. Please submit your application as far in advance as possible. We are not able to provide retroactive funding. 

• Faculty awards are supported by the Lockwood Endowment and are available up to $2000. 
• Classified staff and administrator awards are supported by the President’s Fund and are available up to $1000. 
• CDAC awards are supported by the Classified Development Advisory Committee and are available up to $300.
• ACO Funds for employees from the Division for Access, Community, and Opportunity. ACO funds support PD opportunities that specifically address and speak to the unique needs and perspectives of systemically marginalized identities. ACO awards are supported by the Division for Access, Community, and Opportunity and are available up to $2500.

Complete the Professional Development Grant Application. You must be logged into your Seattle Colleges email to access the form.

*Faculty is defined as those covered by the AFT CBA. 

2024/2025 Application Deadlines

Grant applications are reviewed twice per quarter. Applicants will be notified via email 1-2 weeks after the application deadline. Faculty (Lockwood) applications will not be reviewed in the summer because faculty (including review committee members) are off contract. 

Complete the Professional Development Grant Application. You must be logged into your Seattle Colleges email to access the form.

The Process

1. "I want to do a thing!" 

   Identify an upcoming professional development opportunity and attain supervisor approval to participate. 

2. "How will I pay for this?" 

   Complete a professional development grant application, including the estimated expenses section. Please include required documentation. A travel authorization request (TAR) is not due at this time, you must secure funding prior to submitting a TAR. 

3. "Yay! I got funding!" 

   Traveling? Work with your division's administrative support to create a travel authorization request before you travel. The budget chart-string for your grant award is at the bottom of your award letter.

   Registering? You can register and pay for the activity or you can ask your division for assistance. Reimbursements can be requested after the activity is completed. 

4. "I did the thing!" 

   Complete the professional development feedback form. This is an opportunity to reflect on your learning experience and share your knowledge with the larger campus community. 

   For reimbursement, provide receipts for lodging transportation, and any other reimbursable expenses to your division's administrative support. You do not need to keep receipts for meals, meals are paid at a per diem determined by OFM. Reimbursement cannot exceed the amount awarded. Expenses must be submitted for reimbursement within thirty days of travel. 

Grant Criteria

Download the professional development grant criteria rubric. 

• Application is complete and clear
• Relevance to individual needs and/or college-wide priorities
• Reasonable cost relative to potential benefit
• Signed by your supervisor or includes an email indicating their support

When Demand Exceeds Funds

• Applicant has not been awarded or received funding in the past two years
• Activity has potential to benefit a wider audience
• Applicant is presenting at a conference

Other Opportunities

Seattle Colleges District Faculty Development

Statewide Tuition Waver

Funds for groups: funds may be available for group registration for conferences and other professional development activities. Contact lynn.kanne@seattlecolleges.edu for details.