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Professional Enrichment Fund

The Professional Enrichment Fund supports eligible staff by reinforcing their competencies and strengthening their talents and abilities. This fund can be used to help cover registration fees and travel costs for professional development opportunities, such as conferences, conventions, summits, seminars and professional development materials or tools.

While not required, departments are encouraged to support their employees' professional development by also contributing funds toward the activity/opportunity.

Eligibility

  • Individuals and groups may apply.
  • Individuals must be employed by 海角论坛 in a benefit-eligible administrative, service, and support staff and have completed their probationary period at the time of application. 
  • Your supervisor must approve your participation in the activity, which may include allowing you time away from work.
  • Applications must be submitted prior to the activity and filled out in its entirety. Incomplete applications could delay the committee's decision.

Award Information

  • The amount of the awarded funds should be no less than $100 and no greater than $1,000.
  • An individual staff member cannot receive more than one (1) award in the most recent 1-year look-back period and cannot receive more than $1,000 in the most recent 3-year look-back period.
  • For group applications, the department is named as the recipient of the award.
    • The department cannot receive more than $1,000 in the most recent 2-year look-back period.
    • Individual staff members who take part in funded group activities are not assessed any dollars that count toward their individual limits.
  • If the activity approved for funding does not happen due to unforeseen circumstances, the award is closed and does not count toward department or individual limits.

Application Process

  • The application includes a template for a detailed budget.
  • The narrative proposal section should not exceed 750 words and should clearly outline how the funds will be used and the anticipated impact regarding personal and university enrichment and growth.
  • A specific activity must be identified in the application, which should include a website or educational materials regarding the training, if applicable.
  • Applications are reviewed quarterly:
    • January 1
    • April 1
    • July 1
    • October 1
  • Applications will be reviewed by a committee to determine awards. Applicants will be notified of the committee's decision within two weeks of the quarterly due date.
  • Submit your application to 海角论坛 Human Resources at umkchr@umkc.edu or in person (Administrative Center, Room 226).

  Individual application (PDF)   Team application (PDF)

Post-Experience Report

  • Applicants must submit a post-experience report within 30 days of completing the activity. This report should clearly outline how the education or training received enhanced the applicant's professional development and career growth.
  • For groups, only one report is necessary, which includes a comprehensive description of the impact on the participants.

Award Distribution Process

SPEER funds are distributed as a reimbursement to the department after all required documentation is submitted and approved. In all cases, the department facilitates the initial payment process – either through its own payment methods or by supporting reimbursement to the employee for their out-of-pocket expenses. SPEER funds are transferred to the departmental MoCode listed on the application.

Departments are responsible for ensuring all supporting documentation is attached to the expense report, including:

  • Copies of all receipts related to the expense
  • SPEER Award Letter

For expenses paid using departmental payment methods:

  • Use an approved departmental payment method for the activity (e.g., OneCard, MoCode)
  • Complete and submit an expense report within 30 days of the expense.
    • This step should be completed even if the activity itself has not yet occurred.
    • The expense report may be completed by the applicant or a department administrator depending on the payment method used.
  • Complete and submit a post-experience report within 30 days of completing the activity.
  • Approved SPEER funds will be reimbursed to the department MoCode provided on the application after both the expense report and post-experience report are reviewed by the committee.

For expenses paid using personal payment methods:

  • Use a personal payment method (e.g., cash, debit card).
  • Complete and submit an expense report within 30 days of the expense.
    • This step should be completed even if the activity itself has not yet occurred.
    • The amount of the expense report should not exceed the amount approved to receive from the SPEER fund.
    • Expense reports submitted after 90 days of the expense will result in a taxable reimbursement to the employee.
  • Complete and submit a post-experience report within 30 days of completing the activity.
  • Approved SPEER funds will be reimbursed to the department MoCode provided on the application after both the expense report and post-experience report are reviewed by the committee.