The Staff Excellence Fund (SEF) has been redesigned following a review called for in our 2026 compensation settlement. Over the summer, a review committee with representatives from the UWSA, Staff Relations Committee (SRC), the SEF Committee, and Organizational and Human Development consulted with staff, fund recipients, and other stakeholders to identify opportunities for improvement.
The result is a renewed fund that with more staff-led decision making, more predictable funding processes, and new ways to support staff initiatives and development. Key changes include:
- A stronger staff voice in funding decisions: The SEF Committee now reviews and approves all SEF funding, with reporting to SRC for oversight.
- More support for staff ideas: There's a clear, dedicated funding stream for staff-led initiatives.
- Professional development funding: A new stream will support individual and small-group professional development costs, such as workshop fees or conferences. We're still ironing out the details but expect to open applications in winter 2027, for the 2027–28 fiscal year.
- Ongoing support for popular fitness programs: Ways to Play and the UW Fitness staff subsidy will now receive ongoing funding.
- A more predictable application process: We’ve clarified funding criteria and eligibility, reduced approval steps, and set fixed application deadlines.
As part of the 2026 compensation settlement, annual funding for the SEF also increased from $250,000 to $300,000, and unused funds will now roll over to future years.
Applications due December 8
The SEF Committee is now accepting applications for staff-led initiatives that support well-being, engagement, learning, leadership development, accessibility, or workplace culture. Whether you want to host a workshop, support a community of practice, improve accessibility, launch a community-building activity, or pilot another idea that would benefit staff, the SEF can help make it happen.
Applications are due December 8, 2026, for staff-led initiatives taking place between January and April 2027. All USG staff are eligible to apply.
Applications will open again in the new year for activities taking place during the 2027-28 fiscal year, including for individual professional development!