Q. Who is eligible to take sabbatical research leave?

All members of academic staff who are contractually obliged to undertake research have the right to apply for research leave.

Eligibility to apply for research leave is based on length of service, as follows:

• Periods of 3 - 6 months research leave require three years of continuous service since commencement of employment in UCC or return from previous period of leave.
• Periods in excess of 6 months and up to 12 months research leave require six years of continuous service since commencement of employment in UCC or return from previous period of leave.

Under exceptional circumstances, where a staff member has worked for an extended period of time without leave, the qualifying period may be varied

Q. I am currently under probation / establishment. Am I eligible to take sabbatical research leave?

Applicants who are engaged in the Probation and\or Establishment process at the time of application are not eligible to apply for leave.

Q. Is sabbatical research leave paid?

 Staff may apply for research leave with full salary, partial salary or leave without pay. The granting of a period of research leave can have no cost implications for the University. Where a cost is incurred in the replacement of a staff member, either fully or partially, such payment will be deducted by the University from the staff member’s salary. 

Q. Do I still have access to UCC campus, my officec, library etc while on sabbatical research leave?

Apart from exceptional circumstances which are subject to the approval of the Head of College in collaboration with the University Space Sub-Committee, the staff member will be required to vacate his or her office during the period of research leave but may use the University facilities, especially the library.

Q. Can I be paid by another institution while on sabbatical research leave?

If in receipt of a full salary from the host institution the staff member will be required to apply for un-paid leave.  If the staff member is in receipt of a partial salary the resulting salary from UCC will be agreed between the relevant Head of College and the Bursar within the principles outlined in this policy.

Q. How long is sabbatical research leave?

Research leave is granted for a specified period.The prescribed periods should not normally exceed twelve months or be less than three months in duration.

Q. When can I apply for sabbatical research leave?

The College Sabbatical Research Leave Committee shall normally issue a call for sabbatical research leave applications at least once, and up to twice a year, on a date(s) to be determined by the relevant College

Q. Is sabbatical research leave counted towards length of service ?

Any period of unpaid leave of absence will not count towards qualifying period of service i.e. leave taken under this Policy is not considered to be reckonable service for future leave applications.

For promotion scheme eligibility purposes, a sabbatical period (paid or unpaid) will count as recognised service

Q. What if I need to take sick leave while on sabbatical research leave?

In circumstances where a staff member falls ill during a period of granted sabbatical research leave, s/he should formally notify the relevant College Sabbatical Research Leave Committee and provide relevant medical certification before the end of the period of leave.   The College Sabbatical Research Committee will decide on the duration of research leave to be recouped by the staff member, if any.

Q. I work in another institution and would like to visit UCC during my sabbatical leave. Is this possible?

We welcome visitors from other institutions. Please see Inbound Visitors