Professional Development Funds

The CDN Board annually sets aside up to $3,000 in support of CDN members (professional or graduate student) attending local, national or regional conferences in which they represent CDN in some way. These funds are allocated in up to $500 increments to defray conference registration or travel costs.

Any CDN member can make only one professional development funding request per year. The CDN Board grants final approval of these requests. This money is allocated on a first-come basis. Once the $3,000 is spent for the fiscal year, no more requests will be considered. 

We also ask you to encourage graduate interns/students you know to utilize this fund as it is one of CDN’s goals to expand access to the field of career development and diversify the pipeline of new professionals. MCDA and MCUCSA are examples of the local professional associations that could be a good place to start.

The CDN Board is accepting applications for CDN Professional Development Funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Please submit your request for board consideration. (Make sure you are logged in with your U of M email account first.)