New self-development program offers education opportunities and funding

August 10, 2021 - Defence Stories

A new educational expense reimbursement program will go live on August 10, 2021, reopening opportunities and funding to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members.

The new CAF Self-Development Program will allow CAF members to submit new applications in the Self Development Reimbursement Education Expense Reimbursement software (SDPEER) as of August 10, 2021. The CANFORGEN was issued on June 23.

Previously approved Individual Learning Plans (ILP) in the electronic ILP system will continue to be managed and funded until at least the end of Fiscal Year 2021/22, at which time they may be transitioned to the new program. During the transition, members with older ILPs will need to resubmit into the new SDPEER system.

The new Canadian Forces Military Personnel Instruction (CF Mil Pers Inst) 01/21 clarifies and simplifies the process of supporting our ill and injured Regular Force members as they consider their transition options.

The new CAF Self-Development Program represents a modernization of the current CF Mil Pers Instr 17/04 program, and is designed to offer self-development educational expense reimbursement programs to a larger number of CAF members. The new program will also ensure that the Canadian Defence Academy (CDA) funding is provided within defined funding envelopes, yet is agile enough to respond to increases in funding, if those opportunities arise. This will permit a more equitable distribution of educational opportunities to CAF members. The funding model will be based on a “course by course” approval process, using a prioritization matrix that will be published on the CDA DWAN Website. Members without or with limited DWAN access can apply through the Help Desk: SDPEER-PARFS@forces.gc.ca

Professional development and academic advancement of military members provide important value to the CAF, as they bring the fresh ideas, critical thinking, and deeper outlooks required by modern and effective professional armed forces. The new CAF Self-Development Program ensures that military members’ educational pursuits are supported within available financial means.

Primary Reservists will continue to be entitled to educational reimbursement and will be required to submit their ILP and Self-Development Plan within the year that they are seeking reimbursement. As with Regular Forces members, it is necessary for reservists to adhere to policy timelines to claim any entitled funds.

The new CAF Self-Development Program will be ready to receive new Individual Learning Plan requests starting August 10, 2021. To apply for a new ILP or a new Self-Development Program, all applications must be submitted through the new SDPEER application (accessible only on the National Defence network). Upon review and approval by CDA, funding for newly endorsed courses will commence in September 2021.

For more information, visit contact Military Personnel Command’s Administrative Response Centre (ARC) website (accessible only on the National Defence network) or by email and phone at CMPARC.CRACPM@FORCES.GC.CA and 1-833-445-1182.