Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

People Strategies

Home / CUPE / CUPE Professional Development

CUPE Professional Development Fund

To support employees in all stages of their careers, eligible employees are eligible for reimbursement of professional development (PD) costs. These costs are in addition to reimbursement of Learning Opportunity Funds.

Questions of eligibility can be clarified in advance by contacting the Learning and Development team in Human Resources at pei_learn@sfu.ca.

Employees may provide supporting documentation or a brief rationale, including manager support, outlining the professional development purpose of an expense; submission of such information is optional. 

Who is eligible for the CUPE Professional Development Fund?  

Employees who hold Continuing status, or Temporary status with an appointment length of 365 days or greater, as of January 1 of the calendar year.

What is the annual entitlement?

  • Continuing Employees:
    • $500 per calendar year for 2026
    • $500 per calendar year for 2027
    • $500 per calendar year for 2028
    • $500 per calendar year for 2029
  • Temporary Employees with an appointment length of 365 days or greater
    • $500 per calendar year for 2026
    • $500 per calendar year for 2027
    • $500 per calendar year for 2028
    • $500 per calendar year for 2029
  • Effective July 10, 2026, the maximum cumulative carry forward of unused funds increases to $5,500 for continuing employees. There is no carry forward for temporary employees. 
  • The reimbursement available for Professional Development will be pro-rated for a Part-time Employee in a Continuing or Temporary Position.
  • Employees on unpaid leave or long-term disability will receive pro-rated amounts in the year after their leave.

When can I submit an expense claim?

Claims for reimbursement may be made once per calendar year. 

How can I submit an expense claim for reimbursement?

  1. Please confirm your purchase is an eligible item.
  2. Complete the CUPE Professional Development Travel and Business Expense Claim form found here: Instructions on How to create a Travel and Business Expense Claim
  3. Step 3: Include all receipts in order to attach them to your claim. 
    • Please ensure the following regarding receipts:
      • Receipts/invoices must be in the employee's name and clearly show the item(s) purchased and total amount paid.
      • Order forms, estimates, and packing slips are not accepted as proof of purchase.
      • If the receipt/invoice does not show the total amount paid, proof of payment must also be provided.
      • Credit card or debit card slips/statements alone are not sufficient; the corresponding itemized receipt/invoice must be included.
      • Extended warranties are eligible only if purchased at the same time as the original equipment.
      • Conferences, courses, and other events can be claimed only after attendance, with proof of completion.
      • Airfare can be claimed only after travel has occurred and must include boarding passes for all flight segments. Economy class airfare only.       

What items are eligible?

 

Expense Type 

 Specifics

Eligible Items

Learning Opportunities

Conference fees, including travel and associated expenses.

Courses, workshops, and seminars.

Reimbursements are issued only for learning opportunities that employees have attended, even if registration was paid in advance. Consistent with SFU’s Business & Travel Expense Policy AD 3.02, requiring proof of expense and verification of a legitimate University‑related purpose.

For Online Registration: Provide a copy of completed registration, payment confirmation email, and at times a credit card statement may be requested.

 

For Conferences (including travel and associated expenses): Proof of attendance (e.g. name tag, photo of you at the event), conference program, and payment confirmation email.

For out-of-town conferences: Boarding passes (per AD 3.02 procedures), hotel bill, conference program, and airfare invoice/itinerary with payment details.

Meals can be claimed as per diem amounts or by detailed receipts if not provided by conference/event (consistent with SFU’s Business & Travel Expense Policy AD 3.02).

 

For Courses, Workshops, or Seminars:Proof of payment and completion or attendance (incl. your name). Screenshots with grades must clearly show your name and course details.

Journals & Books

 Academic or professional journals or books —either print or digital for PD purposes.

 

  • Receipts listing each item claimed.
  • If books are purchased for a course, proof of completion required.

 

Coaching (work/leadership-related)

 Coaching services. 

 

  • Original receipt showing payment amount and date sessions were completed.
  • Recommended: Coaches certified by the International Coaching Federation (ICF). 
  • The Learning and Development team can assist with finding a coach.

 

Computer and Equipment

 

 

 

In regards to these expenses, employee's are eligible to purchase: 

One item from the following list every three years, from the year of the most recent claim: computer (with standard peripherals—monitor, keyboard, mouse); laptop; iPad; or tablet, e-readers, or digital note-taking devices (including iPad Mini, Kindle, Remarkable, or equivalent), and printers.
  • Itemized receipt including employee’s name, amount, and date. 
  • Order forms or shipping notices are not accepted.
  • If purchasing extended warranties must be at the time of device purchase.
  • Extended warranties are not mandatory but if you chose to purchase, it must be included at the time of purchase.

Computer Peripherals

In regards to these expenses, employee's are eligible to purchase: 

One of each of these items every three (3) years from the year of the most recent claim: headset, microphone, webcam, keyboard or ergonomic keyboard, mouse or ergonomic mouse; additional monitor up to 32 inches.

 

  • Itemized receipt including employee’s name, amount, and date.
  • Order forms or shipping notices are not accepted.
  • If purchasing extended warranties must be at the time of device purchase.
  • See: UNIVERSITY PROPERTY (AD 10-11 5.08)
  • Additional notes: 
  • The 3 year point will be calculated based on the year of your most recent claim.

 

Software

 Professional software purchases.

  • Itemized receipts/invoices showing amount and date.

 

 

What are examples of items that are not eligible?

  • Non-economy travel including business or first-class 

  • Office furniture and furnishings

  • Air travel change, insurance or cancellation fees 

  • Briefcases or luggage or backpacks

  • Passport or visas or vaccine related travel expenses 

  • TVs or monitors over 32 inches 

  • Cell phones, Data Plans, roaming costs

  • iPod, iTouch, MP3 Players, or similar 

  • Gaming systems, video games, video cards

  • Service cost for equipment

  • Toner cartridges, printer paper, laptop batteries or adapters

  • Digital camera, projector

  • Additional Computer Peripherals: Memory sticks, external hard drives, Mac Airport, Time Capsule, docking station

  • Shipping and duty costs

  • Subscriptions which have free services (ex. LinkedIn Premium)

  • Subscriptions such as Spotify, Apple music, or similar

  • Internet, Streaming Services

  • Software already provided by the university (ex. Microsoft office/365)

 

 

Update August 6, 2026. 

This information is intended to provide an overview of the Professional Development and we make every effort to provide accurate information. However, in the event of any discrepancies between this and the official plan text, policy, legislations and/or collective agreement, the terms outlined in the official plan text, policy, and collective agreement will prevail.