Application Information
Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open!
1) The fund can be accessed in two ways:
$1000 (maximum), per teacher per year, for a teacher to attend a conference, seminar, workshop. In addition, a teacher may apply for sub coverage to a maximum of two days to attend PD. Sub dates and event dates must coincide.
$1500 (maximum), per teacher per year, for a teacher to take an accredited course. In addition, a teacher may apply for sub coverage to a maximum of five days to write their final capstone project or defend their thesis. This request needs to be supported with documentation that explains the time commitment being requested and is also subject to consultation with your administrator. It may not be attached to any code 50 leave.
2) You may apply to use this money for any Professional Development (see conditions below) between July 1, 2025 and June 15, 2026. Receipts for reimbursement must be received by June 15, 2026.
3) A teacher may apply each school year and indicate multiple seminars/courses/activities as long as the maximum of $1000 isn’t achieved. For example, if a teacher wants to attend a series of smaller PD opportunities where there is a small cost per course, they may list each course on the application and the costs will be totaled to a maximum of $1000. (Please note that if you are registering for multiple sessions and there is a last minute addition to the list, these requests for funding must be submitted in writing to the Local office.) As well, if a teacher is taking more than one graduate level course, they may apply for assistance with multiple courses at the same time to a total of $1500/year.
4) All applications received will be reviewed and applicants will be notified via email.
5) You need to receive your grant approval “Congratulations…you will be receiving a grant!” before you can apply for reimbursement.
6) Any supplementary materials required for a course/conference must be submitted for approval prior to submitting receipts.
7) You will need to complete an expense form to include with your receipts when filling out the reimbursement form. Please note the $57.00 per day allowance, per Gov’t of Alberta rules, has the following maximums per meal, per day.
- $13.00 breakfast
- $17.00 lunch
- $27.00 dinner
8) Application deadline: Funds will be awarded as applications are received. If you are unable to use the grant, please notify the Edmonton Catholic Teachers’ Local 54 office as soon as you know you will not be able to use the funds This allows another teacher to access these funds.
Application Conditions
1) Application forms are available online. If you change your mind about the PD that you applied for on the application, please email the office (info@ecteachers.ca) before submitting the form a second time.
2) Applications must include the following:
- Your current teaching assignment.
- Your current Professional Growth Plan. You may use your previous year’s PGP until November of the year you are applying for the grant.
- Information about the conference, workshop, seminar, or course is required and needs to include the dates, location and an overview. A brochure, advertisement or course description usually includes this information and would suffice.
- A detailed daily description of what your requested sub days (if applicable) will be used for.
- A copy of the Division Approval for Professional Development form if your PD is outside of Alberta.
3) Cheques will only be issued to the teacher. If any portion of the expenditures are paid for with the school P-card, the teacher is responsible for reimbursing the school in a timely manner.
Application Process
1) Apply using the online form.
2) You will be notified that your application has been received. In this notification (from the website reply), you will receive a reference number. Keep this number. You will need it in order to receive your reimbursement. PLEASE NOTE: The approval process can take up to 2 weeks before you receive a response to your application.
3) Notify your principal that your application has been approved. All Edmonton Catholic School Division policy and procedures must be adhered to. (Administrative Procedure 415 is available from your principal/supervisor relating to travel outside the province.
Please note: Unless you are requesting additional school or Division funding, the Edmonton Catholic School Division’s Travel Expense Report does not need to be completed for the Local.
4) If applicable and in advance of attending, make sure that you have booked a substitute teacher and left appropriate lesson plans. If your application did not ask for substitute release time, you will not be able to access code 47 after the fact. Entering the correct code for your absence is your responsibility.
5) Attend the conference, workshop, seminar, or course. You may not switch from what you applied for on the application to something else without prior approval. Please contact the office if you have changed your mind about the PD you would like to attend.
6) Upon completion of the conference, workshop, seminar, or course, complete the reimbursement form. It must include your reference number.
7) When all necessary documentation (expense form and receipts) have been submitted, ECTeachers will send you a cheque to your school via IMC. Please allow up to 8 weeks for processing of your reimbursement.
8) If you are selected and cannot use the funds or change your mind, please let the Local know as soon as possible so that another teacher may access the funds.