Stewards contribute in many ways to the successful operation of the NRS. In recognition of these contributions and of the value of the special skills that the stewards bring to their work, the NRS would like to broaden the opportunities for steward professional training and development.

To address this objective, the NRS will provide financial support to NRS reserves to compensate for the costs of two types of activities:

Participation in Courses, Workshops, and Conferences
On a pilot basis, the NRS systemwide office will allocate up to $6,000 in the 2008 calendar year in support of steward professional training and development. Funds in the amount of up to $1,500/person/year will be allocated to support steward participation in activities such as courses, workshops, conferences, and the like that would enhance or expand their knowledge and skills that benefit her/his reserve and/or the NRS. Campus training funds that may be available can be combined with systemwide awards.

To apply for such funds, the steward will need to submit a brief proposal (download link below) for approval to the manager of her/his reserve and to the campus NRS Reserves Director or, on campuses that do not have such a Director, to the Faculty Manager for the particular reserve. The written approval from each of these individuals should be attached to the proposal, and these documents forwarded to the NRS Director at UCOP.

There are two deadlines for these applications: March 15, 2008 and September 15, 2008. Awards up to a total of $3,000 per award period will be allocated to applications received by each of these dates. Because this is a new program, we do not know how many applications to expect or the total funding that may be requested, and hence we do not know whether a competitive review at the NRS systemwide level may be required.

The costs incurred by the steward for participation in such an approved activity will be paid out of her/his reserve or campus funds. Upon completion of the activity, the reserve or campus will forward a request for reimbursement (along with appropriate documentation) to the Management Services Officer at the NRS systemwide office.

Steward Internships or Exchanges Between Reserves
The object of such internships or reciprocal exchanges is to increase specific skills, benefit from a particular individual’s special skills, or to accomplish larger projects. Such activities will require the approval of managers at the affected reserves.

The NRS systemwide office will cover the travel and lodging expenses required for participation in such activities and will allocate up to $2,000 systemwide for these purposes per year.

Pre-approval of the activity is required. This will require a brief application letter from the steward to the NRS Director at UCOP, accompanied by written endorsements from each of the two reserve managers. Such requests will be accepted at any time during 2008.

The costs incurred by the steward for participation in such an approved activity will be paid out of her/his reserve or campus funds. Upon completion of the activity, the reserve or campus will forward a request for reimbursement (along with appropriate documentation) to the Management Services Officer at the NRS systemwide office.

  Please Download the Application Form