Professional Development Funds

What is the Professional Development Fund?

The purpose of the Professional Development Fund (PDF) is to defray some of the travel and other expenses incurred by students for participation in internships, conferences or GSPIA-approved study abroad programs; doctoral students may also request funding to support dissertation research. In making its allocations, the PDF committee considers the quality of the student’s academic record, financial need, and the merit of the proposed activity. 

When is the application due?

There are three rounds of funding - October, March, and May. Applications are typically due on the 10th of the month of each round. The application is completed online through GSPIA Connections. An email announcement will be made when each round's application period opens.

How much funding can I apply for?

The amount of funds granted will typically represent only part of total expenses and students should expect to receive no more than $500 to support a U.S. conference trip, $1000 to support a U.S. internship, $2000 to support an international conference/study trip or internship, $2000 to support U.S. dissertation research, and $5000 to support international dissertation research.

*Please note doctoral candidates can only apply in the October Round for dissertation research funding.

What are some basic guidelines for the application?

The PDF is a competitive process for students to apply for funding. You need to make sure you follow the directions provided. Consideration for your application is based on academic merit, financial need, completeness of application, and how you prepare your budget. Therefore, you need to pay close attention to the funding maximum for the eligible funding expenses. Funding is not guaranteed.

What are the endowments?

Depending the round for which you are applying, there are several endowments available for students to apply. Endowments are made of monies donated to GSPIA for specific purposes. If you are considering applying for funding, please carefully read the endowment guidelines. You will need to submit additional materials.

What are the budget details?

All expenses must be budgeted for in the original application and accompanied by an original receipt per the University of Pittsburgh policy. The award letter will indicate the expenses approved for reimbursement. In the event of a destination or purpose change, a revised application and budget must be submitted for review and approval. Below is a guide of allowable and unallowable expenses. This is not all-inclusive.

*Note: Expenses can only be reimbursed for after the trip/event has occurred per University policy. Students are required to complete a Travel and Business Expense Report Form for reimbursement (University-approved form).

What are generally allowable items on the PDF?

These items must be included in your budget and accompanied by an original receipt.

• Airfare (require receipt and Boarding Passes)

• Lodging (only outside Pittsburgh lodging)

• Transportation

• Registration Fees

• Program Fees

• Enrollment Fees

• Mileage on a personal vehicle in lieu of gas reimbursement. Gas receipts are required as the form of back-up. When a personal car is used (per the application), mileage will be reimbursed at the approved rates.

What are items NOT allowed on the PDF?

These items are NOT allowed in your budget for the PDF.

• Any items that are NOT accompanied by an original receipt

• Per Diem (Receipts are required for reimbursement)

• Clothing

• Food/Meals (includes drinks and groceries)

• Entertainment/Excursion costs (i.e. city tours)

• Passport Fees

• Health Insurance

• Cell phone, internet, or personal communication bills

• Pittsburgh (hometown) rent & utilities while away (also includes if the trip/internship was also in the city)

• Emergency funds, miscellaneous, or spending money categories will not be funded. A detailed description is required.

What is the time frame for the reimbursement?

Generally speaking, the University’s Payment Processing Department takes on average 3-4 weeks to process a payment. There is no guarantee on the time frame; however, it could take less or more time depending on their workload.

If you have any questions on the Professional Development Fund, you can contact Career Services.

Albert Schweitzer Fellowship (Paid Internship!!)

Are you wondering how you are going to pay to exist while completing your internship this summer? Interested in working with under-served populations in the Southwestern PA region? If so, keep reading! The Albert Schweitzer Fellowship program is FOR YOU!

Don’t let the word ‘fellowship’ confuse you. This fellowship is designed to take place while you are currently enrolled in school, NOT after graduating. This is a one year interdisciplinary program focused on community service and leadership development.

Here are a couple of sample projects to get you thinking: One fellow wanted to increase self esteem in middle school girls in an under-served community, so she created a poetry program that fostered self expression. Another student conducted focus groups and administered surveys to assess environmental health dangers to people in an under-served community.
Here are the basics of the program:

• This is a service project with a minimum of 200 hours through an existing community-based organization in the greater Pittsburgh area or its surrounding communities. (In order to count this for the GSPIA internship, you’ll need to complete 300 hours, but we’re told that is very easy to accomplish within the year long project).
• A supervisor or site mentor, at the host organization and a faculty member at the student’s school will serve as mentors for the program. In addition, the fellow will have an alumni of the Schweitzer fellowship as an additional mentor.
• In addition to the service project, fellows are required to attend a monthly meeting with other fellows and the program administrator. At these meetings, fellows have the opportunity to chat with each other about their projects, and learn about community service and professional development from area experts.
• At the conclusion of the project, fellows submit a written report, including recommendations for sustaining the projects.
• The fellowship will begin in April 2013 and end in April 2014.

What this Really Means:

• You will write a proposal for a project that you would like to design and implement. For your application, you will need to come up with an organization that you would like to work with on the project. The project must serve an under-served population OR an under-served community.
• You will receive a $2,000 ($3,000 for environmental fellows) if chosen as a fellow. This stipend DOES NOT have to be used for project costs.
• If your project requires funding, the Schweitzer fellowship program can help with those costs. (Don’t forget about GSPIA’s Professional Development Funds as well!)

How to Apply:

• Fellows will be selected on the basis of their completed application, their service commitment, and their ability to articulate ideas and goals related to their role in addressing unmet community needs.
• Applications are available in the Career Services office, or here.
• The application includes demographic, project, and professional information, as well as three references and a resume.
• The application is due NO LATER THAN Friday, February 15th, at 5:00 p.m.

Nationality Room Scholarships

Want to do an internship in Kenya, but wondering how you will pay to get there? Planning on applying for the EU in Brussels program, but not sure about paying for your apartment while you’re gone? Have an idea for an independent study project, but no funding?

The Nationality Room Scholarship is a great opportunity to help fund your next International experience!

Eligibility Requirements:

• US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Current full-time student on Pitt’s campus, returning to campus for the academic term following travel
• Proposed travel must be career related and credit-worthy (or required by school)

For more information or to apply, click here *Please Note* Career Services has additional information available to students who receive an interview for a scholarship. If you are selected for an interview, please contact us! We can conduct a mock interview with you (last year, 3/3 students who applied and mock interviewed with us won their scholarships!).

Scholarships Available to Graduate Students:
     

AFRICA::
Beulah Glasco Memorial Award, $3,500

ARMENIA:
Andrew J. Traina Memorial / Armenian Room Committee Scholarship (for the study of Armenian culture, first consideration given to programs in Armenia,), $3,500

ASIA:
Dr. and Mrs. Ryonosuke Shiono Award, $4,000

AUSTRIA:
Austrian Room Committee Scholarship (in honor of Frank and Marie Bulik), $3,500

CHILE:
Ivan Santa-Cruz Memorial Award $4,500

CZECH or SLOVAK REPUBLICS:
Czechoslovak Room Committee Scholarship, $4,500

DENMARK:
Herbert E. Lieberkind / Danish Room Committee Scholarship (in honor of Frans Jagher), $4,000

HUNGARY:
Hungarian Room Committee Scholarship (Dr. S. Gomory / Joseph Arvay Memorial Award), $3,500

INDIA:
Indian Room Committee Scholarship, $3,500
ISRAEL
Israel Heritage Committee Award (for the study of Jewish culture, first consideration given to program in Israel), $4,000
JAPAN:
Japanese Room Committee, $3,500

LITHUANIA:
Josephine and John McCloskey Memorial Award, $4,000

MIDDLE EAST OR NEAR EAST:
Fred C. Bruhns Memorial Award (requires a working knowledge of Arabic or Farsi language), $4,000

PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, HONG KONG OR TAIWAN:
Chinese Room Committee Scholarship (in honor of Mike Chen), $4,000
John H. Tsui Memorial Scholarship (for study of Chinese culture), $4,000

SCANDINAVIA:
Scandinavian Society of Western Pennslyvania Award, $3,500

UKRAINE:
Eugene Manasterski Memorial Award, $3,500

ANY LOCATION:
Ruth Crawford Mitchell Memorial Award, $3,500
Stanley Prostrednik Award, $5,000
Dorthy Bradley Brown Physical Therapy Award (for SHRS Physical Therapy Students ONLY), $3,500
George F. & Mary Ann McGunagle Memorial Award, $5,000