December 31 is the application deadline for next year’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees (PDGR). 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.

Awards will not usually exceed $3,000 unless a student mentee is part of the proposal, in which case an award of $4,000 or more will be considered. The Application Instructions (linked below) provide information about project requirements and how to apply. Approved proposals will be announced in February 2022. Awards will start on April 1, 2022, and extend to June 30 of the following year.

UMRA recently initiated an ambitious campaign with the goal of building a substantial reserve fund for our PDGR program. One can make a contribution online or support this fund with a future gift. For more information about an estate gift, please contact Lynn Praska at the University of Minnesota Foundation, [email protected] or 612-624-4158.

“Impact of PDGR program is deep and wide,” a summary of some of the things accomplished with previous awards, can be found on the UMRA website. Anyone with questions or suggestions should email John Bantle, MD.

—John Bantle, MD, UMRA Grants Committee chair