Please consult the CUNY Code of Practice Regrading Instructional Staff Academic Leaves for a full description of each leave, eligibility requirements, review and approval process, duration, compensation, retirement implications and more. Some leaves have strict deadlines, while others accept applications throughout the year. Applications for leaves that require Departmental P&B and FPC approvals should be submitted to the department chairperson in enough time to be reviewed by both committees before the start of the leave. All applications are sent to Department Chairpersons.
Fellowship Leaves
Fellowship leaves may be granted for conducting research (including study and related travel), improvement of teaching, and/or production of creative works in literature or the arts.
Applications should be submitted to the department chairperson, one academic year prior to the requested leave, by no later than October 1 for Fall term leaves, and no later than March 1 for Spring term leaves.
Application required: Click HERE
Scholar Incentive Award Leaves
The purpose of Scholar Incentive Awards is to facilitate bona fide and documented scholarly research. Applications that reflect other purposes, such as meeting degree requirements, service outside the University, or other professional, career or personal reasons, shall not be considered for these Awards.
Application required: Click HERE
Special Leave of Absence without Pay
Special leaves of absence without pay may be requested for study, writing, research, a creative project, or public service of reasonable duration. A special leave of absence without pay represents a break in service towards the achievement of tenure or a Certificate of Continuous Employment (for a lecturer).
Application required: Click HERE
Partial Leaves with Partial Pay
Partial leaves with partial pay are granted for special projects, such as writing a book, when the leave would be to the mutual benefit of both the faculty member and the college. It is expected that partial leaves of absence with partial pay will be granted in rare and unusual circumstances, i.e., infrequently.
A partial leave with partial pay releases a faculty member from a percentage of his/her teaching responsibilities, with a corresponding reduction in salary, but does not relieve the faculty member of any other responsibilities. A partial leave with partial pay represents a break in service towards tenure or a Certificate of Continuous Employment (for a lecturer).
Application required: Click HERE
Professional Reassignment Leaves in the Library
Professional reassignment leaves are granted to members of the instructional staff who serve in the libraries to permit them to engage in research, scholarly writing, and other recognized professional activities that enhance their contribution to the University. Only members of the instructional staff who serve in the libraries are eligible for these leaves.
Application required: Click HERE
Other Authorized Leaves of Absence without Pay
These are extraordinary leaves, which should be very rare and only recommended by the President for valid purposes that are not covered by other leave categories. As in the case of special leaves of absence without pay, they may not be taken to assume a tenure track position or an administrative position at another institution of higher learning.
Submit a letter requesting Authorized Leave of Absence without Pay attention to your Department Chairperson and Provost.
Non-Academic Leaves
For all other leaves contact the Office of Human Resources.
Helpful Links:
Faculty Personnel Process Guidelines (effective 8/25/22)