PD Opportunities

1. Read through the PAF Mandate listed on this site to ensure your project is eligible for funding.
2. Download the most up-to-date templates (Last Updated: August 29th, 2025).
   • PAF General Budget and Roster Spreadsheet
3. You may also take a look at the Example PAF application which has been filled in for you.
4. Submit your application through this website. All PAF applications are to be submitted using the link below.
5. We recommend using Microsoft Excel to complete the PAF Application, as the application contains sensitive information (such as student numbers) and utilizes formatting that does not translate directly to Google Sheets.
   • If you wish to collaborate on the application, you can save the application to the OneDrive cloud to edit directly, or duplicate the form to your Google Drive and then copy over the information (values only) afterwards - be aware of the drop-down lists!
6. APSC PD will be hosting Office Hours for PAF - book an appointment through this link if you have any lingering questions, concerns or suggestions in regards to the PAF Application. Please note that if your query requires the PAF Administrator to review your application directly, email the Excel file to paf@apsc.ubc.ca prior to your appointment.

 Final spreadsheet submitted must be LOCKED, just as it was when first downloaded. If it is unlocked, it would not be accepted. 
You can collaborate with your team on the funding spreadsheet, but make sure you’re not submitting a version downloaded from platforms like Google Sheets or Google Drive, as this will break the spreadsheet and unlock it. Before submitting, ensure all final numbers are transferred into the original locked spreadsheet using the Microsoft Excel app on your computer. Always complete and save the spreadsheet using the Excel application to keep it properly locked. If the Funding Spreadsheet is found to be unlocked or altered, APSC PD will not accept it. Thank you for your cooperation! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to paf@apsc.ubc.ca. 

PAF funds Professional Development Sessions that aim to advance students’ knowledge and skills. Examples of past sessions include networking nights, technical workshops, and seminar series. Note that Design Teams are eligible to apply for PD funding in the case of skill-building workshops; however, this counts towards their cap of number of applications.

Eligibility criteria:

• All of the general PAF eligibility criteria.
• PAF shall not fund PD opportunities in which the main beneficiaries are not currently enrolled undergraduate UBC Engineering students (e.g., youth outreach events).
• An event is defined as a standalone occurrence, whereas a series of events would be x number of applications.
• Networking nights and industry events are defined as having at least 30% of confirmed attendance being from industry members.
• The event does not receive funding through PAF's Fast Track Funding
• Cannot be an Engineering Design Team

Funding calculation:

• PAF Funding shall not exceed 70% of the project’s budget to a cap of $11,000.
• Food shall be subsidized at a rate of $8.00/expected engineering attendee (students, industry, faculty members, or alumni). Attendance numbers should be briefly justified.
• The lesser of $550 or 70% of the costs for venue and associate venue fees.
• Gifts for speakers will be subsidized up to $30 per speaker up to a maximum of $170.
• Other material costs such as workshop supplies can be funded up to $115.
• PAF will fund up to a GTA1 salary (the rate for TAs who are enrolled in a Doctoral program or a Masters program and already holds a Masters degree in the discipline they are teaching in) for tutorial instructors.

Other notes:

• PAF will not fund alcohol or alcohol-related costs such as security or licensing. These costs will be removed from your budget when considering the application.