Professional Advancement Travel

A committee composed of faculty, staff, and students will review all applications and make recommendations for funding based on criteria below. Funding levels by group are expected to be in proportion to the number of applications received. 

• Funding Eligibility Criteria
  • Travel dates from June 2025 through May 2026
  • Applicants may submit one application.
  • CSUSM Students must be enrolled and in good standing.
  • CSUSM Staff and Faculty must be employed by CSUSM and in good standing. 
  • CSU Travel Policy and CSUSM Procedures must be followed. 
• How to Apply

  The application process opens on March 17, 2025. This electronic application package must be submitted through InfoReady by 5:00 pm PST on Monday, April 11, 2025. The application package will be made available to the appropriate committee for review. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. 

  Tips for Completing the Application

  • • • Review the Evaluation Rubric
      • Describe the specific destination and time frame for the proposed travel. 
      • Justify all anticipated expenses.  Be as accurate as possible and upload any supporting documentation. 
      • Include specifics about the professional development, conference, workshop activities.  Presentation at an event by traveler is preferred but not required. 
      • Explain how the travel will enhance the applicant's professional growth at CSUSM. 
      • Discuss how the professional development, conference, workshop, or other travel support the university mission and vision. 
      • Obtaining signatures from the applicant and their supervisor/faculty advisor is required before going to committee.
• Funding Process

  The distribution process involves rigorous assessment, collaboration among various stakeholders, and a focus on funding excellence. 

  • Application review and rating: 
    • Each proposal undergoes a thorough review by peers using an Evaluation Rubric provided by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. 
    • Faculty proposals are assessed through the support of the Faculty Center. 
    • Staff evaluations are facilitated  with the support of the Staff Nomination and Election Committee (SNEC).
    • Student applications are determined by the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, in collaboration with ASI representatives.
  • Evaluator's Task:
    • Evaluators aim to fully fund (up to $2,000) the highest-rated applications across different award categories.
  • Recommendations and Approval:
    • All funding recommendations are compiled.
    • These recommendations are then sent to the Dean, Office of Graduate Studies and Research.
    • The Provost gives the final funding approval.
    • The applications approved for resources will be announced June 2025.
  • Travel Funding Distribution:
    • Travel reimbursement up to $2000.00 of allowable costs.
    • CSUSM Stateside Faculty and Staff
      • Department/colleges will process the travel and use the provided chartfield when the travel request/expense report routes through Adobe. 
        • Travelers must be employed by CSUSM and in good standing. 
      • OGSR must be included on the adobe routing: 
        • Fiscal Authority: 
          • Budget & Research Analyst: kdesai@csusm.edu
            • MPP: cdeleone@csusm.edu
    • CSUSM Student
      • • Funding amount is granted as a reimbursement on actual travel incurred expense as indicated in the CSU Travel Policy and CSUSM Procedures. 
        • Email OGSR@csusm.edu for details on reimbursement.

FAQ

• Does each group have equal access to the money or will students, the largest group, have a larger percentage of the $40k earmarked for them?

  Funding levels by group are expected to be determined by the approximate proportion to the number of applications received from that group.  For example, if applications from students account for 30% of total applications submitted, we intend to award 30% of the funding to students. 

• Can applicants travel while on leave?
  No. If the trip takes place while the faculty/staff member is on leave (e.g., DIPL or Sabbatical), they are not eligible.  
• Are travel advancements available?
  No, advance payment is not available.
• Can funds be transferred to a different person?
  No, funds are not transferable.
• Can applicants receive partial funding?
  Evaluators aim to fully fund, up to the maximum of $2000,  the highest rated applications across different categories. This means if an application is asking for $1450.00 and they score highest on the evaluation rubric for their classification, they would receive $1450.00. 
• Are lecture faculty eligible?
  Yes.

Thank you! 

Thank you to the University Advancement team for their efforts in securing this donation, which makes Professional Advancement Travel possible.