Professional Development Fund
The Women of Color Professional Development Fund and LBGTQ+ Professional Development Fund are managed by the Women and Gender Services (WXGS) and Office of Minority Education (OME).
We recommend applicants apply for funding and then wait to hear back from OME and LBGTQ+ Services about the status of your application before you purchase anything.
To apply, please complete the application form.
Please note that the LBGTQ+ Professional Development Funds applications will be reviewed until May 30th. After that, the application will close and be paused for the summer.
If the need is urgent, please email wxgs@mit.edu.
The Women of Color Professional Development Fund
“People of Color” includes Black, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latinx, Asian, Pacific Islanders, and other marginalized ethnicities. “Women” includes transgender women, cisgender women, and non-binary women. Funds are available on a rolling basis throughout the year. Students are eligible for up to $300 per calendar year.
At this time, the WoC Professional Development Fund will no longer be accepting applications due to limited funds.
Below are funding options outside of the WoC Professional Development Fund:
The LBGTQ+ Professional Development Fund
is for currently enrolled MIT LBGTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students.
LBGTQ+ includes all marginalized sexual orientations and gender identities. Funds are available on a rolling basis throughout the year. Students are eligible for up to $300 per calendar year.
Below are some examples of how you can use the professional development funds.
Graduate and professional school applications
Graduate and professional school travel
Professional conference registration and travel
General education opportunities
Graduate/professional/Medical school admissions exams
Graduate/professional/Medical school exam prep
Professional attire as it relates to professional dress, including gender affirmation
Government forms/paperwork fees for LBGTQ+ students
Legal name change