Overview
The PhD Plus Professional Development Award supports graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at UVA by providing funds for career and professional development activities not supported through other sources. Appropriate uses of the funds include workshops, short courses, non-research-related conferences, and other activities that are preparatory for the successful transition to a career of choice. Click here to see a more detailed description of the program.
Please complete an online application at the following website link: https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_41tVZ3rxrGTGtsq
The application deadline for the Professional Development will have two cycles for 2025.
- Spring and Summer 2025: The deadline is Monday, April 7, 2025. The final decision for the recipient(s) will be made by May 2, 2025.
- Fall 2025: The application deadline is July 15, 2025. The final decision for the recipient(s) will be made the week of August 1, 2025
For a full view of additional information about the UVA Professional Development Award, we invite you to click the (+) sign below.
To be eligible for this award, an applicant must be:
- A UVA graduate or professional student enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program and in good academic standing.
- A UVA postdoctoral scholar at the time of submission and use of the funds.
Applications may be submitted at the following website: https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_41tVZ3rxrGTGtsq
All Professional Development Award packets must include:
- Two-page CV or Resume.
- A 500-word description of the professional development opportunity, including dates and locations. If relevant, applicants should also submit a brochure, print-out, or other promotional material for the activity.
- Answers to the application form prompt questions describing what your career goals are and how you envision the proposed activity impacting and helping you meet your professional career goal(s), degree program, and/or overall professional development.
- Upload a completed budget template with justifications for proposed expenditures. Download the budget template here: https://phdplus.virginia.edu/media/1371
- Reference form completed by primary mentor, advisor, DGS, or supervisor. Applicants should provide the link to the online questionnaire to their reference early in the process. The online questionnaire will be emailed to the designated reference, once the applicant fully completes and submits the application. Reference will be asked to submit their responses no later than the application deadline on April 7th.
All applications will be evaluated using the rubric linked below:
When is the deadline for the PhD Plus Professional Development Award?
The application deadline for the Professional Development will have two cycles for 2025.
- Spring and Summer 2025: The deadline is Monday, April 7, 2025. The final decision for the recipient(s) will be made by May 2.
- Fall 2025: The application deadline is July 15, 2025. The final decision for the recipient(s) will be made the week of August 1, 2025
What are examples of qualifying use of the Professional Development Award?
The goal of this award is to support graduate students and postdoctoral scholars by providing funds for activities related to their career development. Past and eligible examples of qualifying uses include, but are not limited to, items such as:
- Professional development workshops or short courses (i.e., analytics and soft skills, programming and software, research techniques), particularly those not offered through programs at UVA.
- Registration and associated costs for professional development programs and workshops offered in conjunction with professional society meetings, but not including registration or travel-related costs to present your research at the meeting.
- Registration and travel to participate in non-research conferences and symposia focused on professional development (e.g., fees for career development workshop or meeting, National Postdoctoral Association Annual Meeting, What Can you Be with your PhD? among others).
- Any other reasonable activity that complements your current degree program and supports your professional and career objectives.
Examples of ineligible expenses include:
- Travel and related meeting expenses solely to present research presentations at conferences
- Tuition or fees affiliated with graduate programs at the University of Virginia
- Health insurance, fringe benefits, and indirect costs
- Living expenses affiliated with your graduate studies at the University of Virginia
- Research activities, software, trainings, or certifications that can be provided by the UVA school, department, and/or research advisor. For a full listing of available software available at UVA, please visit https://virginia.service-now.com/its id=itsweb_services&category_id=1f0fc337db5fc7c0f032f1f51d9619b0
- Expendable supplies and permanent equipment for research, such as laptops, tablets, cell phones, and other similar devices
- Leisure and/or recreational activities
- Conference registration and participation expenses
Awardees are asked to adhere to university travel policies. To view the current policy, please visit https://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/PROV-010.
How will the Professional Development Award be distributed?
The Professional Development Award will be distributed in the form of a one-time stipend payment issued to the recipient for the sponsored activity. Award(s) with a maximum value of $3,000 each will be issued.
We encourage individuals to submit an application for this award only if they have a specific need and after confirming that funds are not available from other sources, such as your advisor, department, etc.
How do I improve my application?