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College of Business
Copeland Hall
1 Ohio University
Athens OH 45701-2979

Professional Development Fund Spending Policy

Professional Development Fund Spending Policy

Amended 6/2026 by the COB Executive Council
Adopted 7/2025 by the COB Executive Council

The Professional Development Fund is established to support faculty in their research endeavors, professional obligations, and AACSB qualifications. This fund is funded annually from the College's operating dollars and aims to enhance skills, knowledge, and competencies that contribute to the overall mission and goals of the College of Business.

Additionally, the College of Business is committed to the continuous professional development of its professional staff and allocates funding to ensure they remain current and effective in their respective fields.

These funds are separate from earned spending account funds and do not carry over past the fiscal year. Additionally, all requests are subject to approval based on the value the funding provides for the role the faculty or staff member contributes within the College of Business.

Eligible Expenses

  • Conference Fees: Registration fees for academic and professional conferences for peer-reviewed presentations or for faculty who hold leadership positions within the academic organization. Typically, it is expected that there will be no more than one or two presenters for a conference session. Additionally, faculty are encouraged to provide service to their profession by serving as a discussant or session chair (when applicable).
  • Travel Costs: Transportation, accommodation, and meal expenses related to professional development activities. Alcohol will not be reimbursed.
  • Training Programs: Primarily for Instructional Faculty, fees for professional training (workshops, seminars, and certification courses) that have a clear link to professional qualifications per AACSB.
  • Membership Dues: Fees for professional organizations and societies. Membership must be approved as appropriate for position responsibilities.
  • Educational Materials: Books, journals, university-approved software, and other resources directly related to research activity or maintenance of professional qualifications. If the resources are readily available through library or OIT services, materials will not be approved.
  • Primary or Secondary Data: Data utilized for research projects with a strong proposal supported and monitored by the department chair. Faculty must first utilize other available data resources before applying professional development funds, including internal (ICCIT and OU) and external grants. When applicable, faculty are expected to have the study approved through IRB before requesting funds.

Ineligible Expenses

  • Conference/event attendance without a primary presenter or organizer role. Exceptions are made for professional staff.
  • Recurring subscription services: Examples include software subscriptions and ongoing training programs.
  • Unapproved travel: Submitting for travel following a trip.
  • Compensated work: Consulting, teaching, or research for a third party that is compensated.

Application Process

  1. Submission: Applicants must submit a detailed proposal outlining the purpose, expected outcomes, and itemized budget through COB Business Services.
  2. Approval: Proposals are reviewed by the Department Chair or Supervisor, and if supported, reviewed by the Office of the Dean. Approval is based on alignment with institutional goals and available funds.
  3. Reimbursement: Approved expenses are reimbursed upon submission of receipts and a summary report on the activity.

Funds Available

Professional development funds are allocated annually to support activities that advance the mission of the College of Business and the professional growth of its faculty and staff. Funding is subject to annual budget availability and approval. Requests must support the mission of the College of Business and be approved as important to that mission by the department chair, school director, or appropriate supervisor, and the Office of the Dean. Funding for instructional faculty and professional staff is subject to the availability of funds within the applicable pool, and requests will be considered in the order received.

  • Tenure-track faculty are allocated a maximum* of $2,500 in professional development funds per fiscal year. 
  • Instructional faculty may access a maximum of $1,500 (subject to availability) in professional development funds per fiscal year through a shared instructional faculty professional development fund.

Professional staff may access a maximum of $1,000 (subject to availability) in professional development funds per fiscal year through a shared professional staff professional development fund.

Professional development funds are nontransferable* between faculty, have no cash value, and do not carry forward from one fiscal year to the next. Any unused funds remaining at the end of the fiscal year revert to the College.

*Note: Through the standard application and approval process, department chairs/school directors may request approval for professional development funds exceeding the individual maximum limit (up to a maximum of $5,000) for tenure-track or tenured faculty members within their department/school. Funds must be sourced from the unused professional funds of other tenure-track or tenured faculty members within the department/school during the same fiscal year. Chairs/directors will be responsible for tracking total fund spending annually, including any unused funds.