UMRA’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees (PDGR) program is an annual competition with applications for 2024 awards accepted until December 31. These grants support projects related to retirees’ research, instructional history or new scholarly and creative interests. Previous grants have covered topics such as art, statistics, social equity, science and medicine. Funding of up to $5,000 per grant is available. 

Retirees from all five campuses within the U of M System are eligible whether they are members of UMRA or not. Visit the Grants for Retirees webpage to find more information about the program, including the instructions for applying for 2024 funding. Please consider making an application.

If you would like to make a financial contribution to the program, do it by December 31 and your tax-deductible gift will be doubled thanks to a $20,000 challenge grant from a generous anonymous donor. 

Go to the PDGR crowdfunding page to make a gift online. Or, for information about making a tax-efficient gift from an IRA if you are age 70½ or older, contact Lynn Praska, Senior Planned Giving Officer, U of M Foundation, by email or by calling her at 612-624-4158.

Email John Bantle, MD, PDGR Committee chair, if you have questions or suggestions for the grant program.