Paid Sabbatical Leave for Academic Teachers: One Year or Three Months with Full Pay

Academic teachers across public and private institutions can access paid sabbatical leave for research, doctoral preparation, or international internships, pending final approval from the rector while retaining their full salary.

Scope and Conditions of Academic Sabbaticals

An academic teacher may use paid sabbatical leave for research, preparing a doctorate, completing a foreign internship, or attending a conference. In specific cases, the leave can last up to a year, or up to three months when working on a doctoral dissertation.

This entitlement is not granted automatically, as the final decision rests with the rector. If approved, the employee maintains the right to 100 percent of their remuneration during the leave period.

Legal Basis and Eligibility

The rules for granting paid sabbaticals are defined in Article 130 of the Law on Higher Education and Science. These provisions apply to academic teachers employed in both public and non-public universities, regardless of their position or employment contract type.

However, conducting scientific research through this leave requires holding at least a doctoral degree. Leave may be granted for several designated professional purposes.

One-Year Leave for Doctoral Degree Holders

The longest scientific leave is available to academic teachers holding at least a doctoral degree. The rector may grant paid leave up to a total of one year within a seven-year employment period at a given university.

The leave does not have to be used all at once. It can be divided into shorter segments if permitted by internal university regulations and approved by the rector.

Purpose and Exemption from Duties

The primary purpose of the sabbatical is to conduct scientific research. In practice, this means releasing the teacher from other obligations that could hinder the project, primarily teaching classes and organizational tasks.

For example, an assistant professor planning archival research and foreign research center trips can request a one-year leave or divide it into shorter blocks to complete a habilitation monograph, benefiting both the researcher and the university.

Three-Month Leave for Doctoral Preparation

An academic teacher preparing a doctoral dissertation can receive paid scientific leave for up to three months. Regulations do not require the dissertation to be completed during the leave, provided the time is genuinely dedicated to its preparation.

This solution applies exclusively to individuals employed as academic teachers. University staff without this status must rely on separate provisions regarding doctoral preparation or defense.

Foreign Internships, Conferences, and Queries

Academic teachers may also receive paid leave for scientific or didactic activities outside Poland, including foreign education, scientific or didactic internships, conferences, study visits, scientific queries, and joint research.

The statute does not specify a maximum duration for this type of leave, meaning the timeframe should match the trip’s purpose and receive the rector’s approval.

Funding and Financial Coverage

Retaining salary does not automatically mean the university covers all travel costs. Article 130 does not obligate the employer to finance tickets, accommodation, conference fees, meals, internship costs, or research expenses.

Such expenses may be covered through grants, scholarship programs, university funds, or internal regulations, requiring a separate determination of the funding source.

Collaborative Research with the Łukasiewicz Center

A separate type of paid leave is provided for academic teachers participating in joint research conducted with the Łukasiewicz Center or an institute of the Łukasiewicz Network. Regulations do not indicate a maximum duration, allowing the rector to determine the length based on the research schedule and scope.

Rector’s Discretion and Application Procedure

Because Article 130 states the rector “may grant” leave, the application is not approved automatically. Detailed procedures and rules must be outlined in the university’s work regulations or internal bylaws, allowing the rector to weigh organizational needs and teaching continuity.

Applications must be submitted to the rector in advance, detailing the type of leave, proposed dates, purpose, research description, justification, and location. Depending on the goal, supplementary documents such as internship acceptances or conference invitations may be required.

Salary Calculation and Employment Status

Remuneration during scientific leave is calculated using the same principles as holiday leave, meaning the employee receives their standard salary including variable components averaged over the preceding 12 months.

The period of paid sabbatical counts toward employment continuity and employee rights. It does not interrupt employment or standard service length.

Suspended Duties and Distinction from Health Leave

Scientific leave suspends regular teaching and doctoral education duties, though limited administrative or collegial work such as acting as a thesis promoter or reviewer may remain permissible.

Paid scientific leave is distinct from health leave, which requires occupational medicine certification for medical treatment and strictly prohibits any gainful employment, whereas scientific leave requires adherence to the approved research plan.