2022 PDGR Announcement
We are still driven to discover.
History
In 2007, the UMRA Board appointed a committee to explore a program of financial assistance for retirees who wished to continue their professional work and research projects. With a commitment of $10,000 seed money from UMRA, the committee gained support from the University and the Graduate School in launching a pilot program. In 2008, the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) and the University of Minnesota Retirees Association jointly announced a program of annual professional development grants intended to support faculty, P&A, and civil service retirees wishing to pursue projects related to their research, instruction, or other work history and that contribute to the educational, scholarly and academic reputation of the University. One may review a list of grants that have been awarded since 2009 at Previous PDGR Awards. A summary of some of the things accomplished by these awards can be found at PDGR Impact Study.
Until recently, the University made an annual financial contribution to support the PDGR program. However, because of COVID-19 and University budget reductions made necessary by the pandemic, the University’s financial contributions to the program have been suspended. We hope the suspension will be temporary but, because of this reduction in support, it may be necessary to reduce the total to be awarded in 2022.
Next Year’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees
The PDGR program is an annual competition. All University of Minnesota retirees from the Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris, Rochester and Crookston Campuses who are eligible for University retirement benefits and who will be fully retired by the time of their award may apply for grants of any amount. However, awards will not usually exceed $3,000 unless a student mentee is part of the proposal in which case awards of $4,000 or more will be considered. A PDGR Committee reviews applications and makes recommendations regarding funding. The competition for next year’s awards opens on October 15, 2021. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2021. Approved proposals will be announced in February, 2022. Grants will start on April 1, 2022, and extend to June 30 of the following year.
As the award structure suggests, PDGR applicants are encouraged to engage undergraduate students in their projects. This is a good way to contribute to the overall University mission. Moreover, developing faculty-student mentorship relationships is likely to be valuable for all concerned and may encourage the University to resume PDGR financial support. The University’s Undergraduate Research Scholarships (URS) program for honor students selected during the admission process and its Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) for all undergraduate students are good places for PDGR awardees to find students to mentor. In both programs, students can work with any University faculty member, can join an already established program or a new program and must complete 120 hours of research. Of note, stipends for URS and UROP students are provided by the University. Details about these two programs can be found at https://ugresearch.umn.edu/opportunities/urs.
Allowed expenses in PDGR awards include travel and per diem costs related to research trips and conference attendance; stipends for undergraduate and/or graduate research assistants; the purchase of books, computers, and software; photocopying; and other relevant costs of scholarship. Ineligible expenses include salary for the applicant and institutional overhead charges.
Application Instructions
The Application Instructions (linked below) provide information about funding requirements and how to apply. Applications may be submitted by email or as paper copies as explained in the instructions.
Supporting the PDGR Program
UMRA recently initiated an ambitious campaign with the goal of building a substantial reserve fund for our PDGR program. One can make a tax deductible contribution by credit card at online or by check payable to the University of Minnesota Foundation (P.O. Box 860266, Minneapolis MN 55486-0266). Please note “UMRA Fund 4867” on your check. We encourage UMRA members who have not yet made a contribution to do so and, if members have already made a contribution or pledge, to consider adding to it.
If you are 70 1⁄2 or older, you can also make a qualified charitable distribution for the PDGR program directly from your IRA to the U of M Foundation and avoid paying federal income tax (up to $100,000 per year). An additional option is to support the program with a future estate gift. For more information or if you have questions, please contact Lynn Praska, Senior Planned Giving Officer, U of M Foundation at 612-624-4158 or [email protected].
Questions about the Program
Anyone with questions or suggestions should contact John Bantle, MD, Chair of the PDGR Committee.
News
For 2023 grant year, the UMRA PDGR Committee reviewed 10 applications for Professional Development Grants for Retirees. The applications covered a diverse set of topics and goals. The PDGR Committee recommended that nine be funded in April 2023. The recipients represented the Morris and Twin Cities Campus. The awardees and grant abstracts are listed on the 2023 PDGR Abstracts page.
In mid-July, a hacker on the “dark web” claimed they had gained access to University records with more than seven million Social Security numbers. Here’s what you can do if you are concerned about the security of your records and online identity.
Meet UMRA member Paul Ranelli, a man of many talents. His LinkedIn profile identifies him as professor emeritus, Santa Claus, photographer, voice talent, and public address announcer. Funny AND educated!
With this year’s World Series coming up soon, UMRA member Ron Matross is savoring memories of sharing America’s pastime with his son at the old Metrodome in downtown Minneapolis in the 1980s. Those were glory days for the Minnesota Twins.
UMRA members have logged nearly 200 hours of volunteer service to the University and broader community through the Silver Gopher Service Corps since its launch six months ago.
How I learned, this summer, that my great aunt, one of my paternal grandfather’s sister, was included in a fresco at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. As far as I know she is the only relative of mine who is part of a fresco anywhere in the world.
Meet UMRA member Joni Mitchell, no relation to the “other” Joni Mitchell but there is an interesting connection.
Applications for UMRA’s 2024 Professional Development Grants for Retirees competition will be accepted beginning October 1. Funding of up to $5,000 per grant is available.
Sneak Preview Days have been happening at the University for many years. This year, adding 18 UMRA Silver Gopher Service Corps volunteers put a new twist on the welcome. Who better to provide a friendly greeting and lend a helping hand than those of us who have spent our careers at the University?
One of the great benefits that come with UMRA membership is the discounted rate for parking in University parking facilities. Forgotten whether you’ve already renewed your UMRA membership for 2023–24? It’s easy to check online.
Eric Hockert and Ron Matross represented UMRA at the 2023 Big Ten Retirees Association Conference held at UW–Madison in late July. They enjoyed sharing ideas and practices with the other conference attendees, and came away with several ideas worth pursuing.
The UMRA Board has selected Midland Hills Country Club in Roseville as the location for five of our in-person luncheon forums in the coming year, in part because of the high marks those who attended last year’s forums gave the location for its food, service, and easy and free parking.
As retirees, we are all learning to adapt to a world that seems to change on a daily basis. So, the editorial committee of the Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays (JOIE) is inviting UMRA members to share their thoughts on resilience via a short essay.