Funding Options

2026-27 FUNDING MODEL

To better support faculty professional growth, the IPD has increased funding for Conferences, Professional Development Classes, and Alternative Methods projects this academic year. These enhancements reflect the IPD's commitment to expanding access to professional development opportunities while thoughtfully managing available resources in response to rising travel costs and projected budget considerations.

Faculty are encouraged to take advantage of these increased funding opportunities and apply for the professional development option that best supports their goals.

FUNDING AMOUNT:

$3,000 = The primary Annual Funding Allowance for eligible faculty members per academic year. This is a $500 increase from last year.
Academic year = July 1 through June 30
An additional $500 for faculty presenting at a conference. This is a $400 increase from last year.

FUNDING OPTIONS: Faculty may now use their $3,000 in only one of the following ways per academic year. You may not combine both options. (Exceptions - refer below to special funding).

Choose ONE option only:

OPTION 1 - CONFERENCE, WORKSHOP, OR CLASS
Submit a Conference Attendance Request (CAR) for up to $3,000 toward a conference, workshop, or professional development class. Faculty who present at a conference may also qualify for an additional $500 in presenter funding.

If your initial conference or class does not use the full $3,000 annual allocation, you may submit additional CARs throughout the academic year until your funding limit is reached, subject to available IPD funds.

List of recommended discipline and general teaching conferences

OPTION 2 - ALTERNATIVE METHODS PROJECT OR CLASS
Submit an Alternative Methods application to complete a professional improvement project or class that earns an annual maximum of upt to (27) hours of work.

The Alternative Methods funding is designed to provide a benefit equivalent to the $3,500 available to faculty who select the conference funding option. Because Alternative Methods compensation is processed through payroll, the total amount charged to the IPD budget includes both the faculty overload pay (1.5 LHE = approximately $2,916) and the associated payroll-related costs (approximately $500 in medical, work comp, STR, etc.), resulting in a total expenditure comparable to the conference funding allocation.

Alternative Methods Handbook: Includes a list of recommended projects/classes to help get you started.

SPECIAL IPD CONFERENCE FUNDING - subject to defined criteria

An additional $500 in conference funding to faculty members presenting at the conference/PD activity. (Must submit proof of presentation such as the conference program when submitting for conference reimbursement).
A separate $3,000 in funding to attend Academic Senate for California Community Colleges conferences linked here with priority given to Academic Senate, CCI and IPD committee members. All faculty are encouraged to attend ASCCC conferences! Apply at least six weeks in advance and the Senate Office will assist with prepayment of the registration fee. Based on available funds. (Examples: Fall and Spring Plenary, Faculty Leadership Conference, Non-Credit Institute, Curriculum Institute)
A separate $3,000 fund for Greater Import Conferences.
Criteria and application form: [Greater Import Conference Application]
Eligibility includes faculty attending a conference on behalf of their leadership role or committee membership or attending a conference where the topic is of greater interest to ALL faculty. May not be a discipline conference. (Examples: DEAC member attending an AI conference and reporting to DEAC; Articulation Officer attending an articulation conference; Department Chair attending a Dual Enrollment conference; AI conference and the faculty member will report their conference experience at the CIL Knowledge Exchange or Flex Day)

ADDITIONAL CAMPUS FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES:

CFE - May provide up to $300 in supplemental funding to eligible faculty members who have exceeded their $3,000 campus annual conference funding on a SINGLE conference. For example, your total out of pocket expenditures totaled $3,400. You received a $3,000 reimbursement using IPD funds. Contact maria@cfe1911.org to request the additional $300 CFE funding.
EQUITY FUNDS - Faculty may submit a SEAP Conference Funding Request Form to request funding through the Student Equity and Achievement Program. If eligible, equity funding may be used as your primary funding source or combined with IPD funds to help cover pre-approved, eligible conference-related expenses.For more information, please contact the Equity Office at Equity@gwc.cccd.edu.
GRANT FUNDS – Check with your division office to confirm available grant funding opportunities. Faculty in CTE and Nursing may have access to grant-funded professional development resources. If eligible, grant funding may be used as your primary funding source or combined with IPD funds to help cover pre-approved, eligible conference-related expenses.

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