The PNC Professional Development Fund is designed to encourage participation in PNC sponsored professional programs and courses by PNC members. The PNC Board recognizes that meetings and courses are often too far away for many members to attend. The aim of the fund is to improve access for members and to equalize opportunities for attendance at programs and courses which improve member's professional development.

All applicants must meet the eligibility criteria. The applications will be reviewed by designated members of the Executive Board, and all applicants will be notified of the Board's decisions. The deadline is at least six weeks before the event for which funds are requested. The number of applicants funded in any one year will be limited by the amount of funds set aside by the PNC Board at the beginning of each budget year.

NOTE: Funds are generally reimbursed/disbursed to recipients after attendance at the selected meeting/program/course.

Eligibility Criteria

1. Applicant must be a current PNC member.
2. Applicant must not have received PNC Professional Development Funds during the past two (2) calendar years.
3. The written application must be received by the designated deadline.

Factors to be considered in awarding of grants:

1. Distance to be traveled to event (generally greater than 50 miles)
2. Applicant is a new professional or recently returning to profession.
3. Applicant's current PNC committee activities or other PNC involvement.
4. Availability/non-availability of other programs in the immediate area.
5. How attendance will benefit the requestor's library/patrons/community.
6. Availability of institutional funding for past 2 years.

Award amounts will be determined by the Board based on number of applicants and amount of funds available.

The deadline for application is September 20, 2005