OSU Extension Professional Development Fund

This fund is designed to help faculty and staff gain the knowledge, attitudes, skills and behaviors to enhance Extension education programs and services.

Current Employees

Current employees professional development brochure

Retired Employees

Retired employees professional development brochure

The fund is able to support a LOT of opportunities! Everyone is eligible to apply — as long as they have at least a .25 FTE and the other funding criteria are met!

Other Funding Criteria

  • At least 50% matching funds available from other sources.
  • Application submission precedes date of event.
  • There is no limit to the number of applications accepted from an individual. However, only one award will be given per individual, per activity/event.
  • A total limit of $1,000 will be awarded to an individual in one calendar year.
  • Awarded funds must be used within one year of award.
  • $1,000 will be provided each quarter for international professional development opportunities.

Activity also must support one or more of the following five strategic objectives and priorities:

  • Improve OSU Extension’s ability to reach culturally diverse audiences.
  • Enhance faculty members’ proficiency with impact evaluation and reporting.
  • Increase efficiency and effectiveness of office and program support staff through new and improved practices.
  • Develop ability to make decisions and positively influence diverse groups and individuals.
  • Invest in lifelong learning of faculty and staff through undergraduate and advanced degrees.

For reference: the ranking system criteria used by the selection committee can be found here

Apply

For complete information and application form, see: OSU Extension Professional Development Fund

“Growing the Fund”

Extension faculty and staff may help “GROW the Fund” at any time during the year.
Keep the following in mind:

  • The principal of the OSU Extension Professional Development Fund is an endowment.
  • Earnings from the endowment feed into the current-use-fund.
  • Each quarter, the amount in the current-use-fund pays for the professional development requests selected for funding.
  • The fund supports on average, about 100-160 different professional development opportunities a year.

Ways individuals may currently contribute throughout the year are:

  • Through payroll deduction (deductions could range from $5.00 a month to any larger amount).
  • Through individual contributions (payable by check or credit/debit card).
  • Either of these types of contributions may be processed on-line through the OSU Foundation
  • As you complete the on-line process, be sure to designate contributions to the following fund.
    • OSU Extension Professional Development Endowment Fund

Current Status of the Endowment (06/2026)

Updated: August 2026