Sabbaticals

Sabbatical Leaves

Sabbaticals provide tenured faculty with dedicated time to pursue scholarly, creative, professional, and research activities that advance both individual development and the mission of Indiana University Indianapolis.

Tenured faculty are generally eligible to apply for a sabbatical after six years of full-time service, with the sabbatical occurring during the seventh year. Applications are typically submitted during the sixth year of service.

Before applying, please review the eligibility requirements carefully. If you have questions about your eligibility or years of service, we encourage you to contact the Office of Academic Affairs at acadhr@iu.edu. We are happy to help clarify eligibility requirements before you begin the application process.

The online application system includes detailed instructions and a checklist of required materials. Applications originate within the faculty member's school, undergo campus review, and, if approved, receive final approval from the Indiana University Board of Trustees.

Faculty Seeking Tenure

Pre-tenure faculty in their sixth or later year of service who are applying for tenure may also apply for a sabbatical for the following academic year. Any sabbatical award is contingent upon the successful award of tenure.

Non-Tenure-Track Faculty

Indiana University policy (BOT-07) encourages schools to support professional development opportunities for non-tenure-track faculty, including sabbatical-like leaves when appropriate. Because these arrangements are determined at the school level, faculty should consult their dean's office regarding opportunities and applicable procedures.

One person from each school should submit a list of tenured faculty and librarians intending to apply for sabbatical leave in the 2026-27 academic year and/or the person who will be representing your school in the Sabbatical Leaves Committee meeting in January.

Submit your candidates and committee representative

Due: Monday, October 12, 2026

Deans, submit the name of your school reviewer to ude[dot]ui[at]rhdaca by October 12, 2026. The committee will meet on January 11, 2027. The school reviewer must be able to attend this meeting.

When faculty members apply for a sabbatical leave, simultaneous emails will be sent to the dean and department chair (if applicable) to approve or deny the request and to upload your letter of approval. These emails contain the entire list of requested materials from the faculty members. (Dean and chair names are auto-loaded but individual faculty can change them.)

The deans will be expected to upload the school committee review letter, if one is necessary.

Proxies can be assigned to approve or deny sabbatical leave requests on behalf of the dean and chair. Make sure your proxies are up-to-date.

The following materials are needed for the campus application. Submit completed applications after you have followed any in-school processes. Deans and chairs will get an automatic email sent to them to upload their own approval letter after you submit your application.

• University ID number
• CV in IU Indianapolis Promotion and Tenure format, in pdf format
• IRB/Animal Care approval
• Dates and report from a prior sabbatical (if applicable), in pdf format
• Abstract: A brief description of the overall plan of work (50 to 150 words)
• Describe how your plan of work advances your career, your areas of excellence, and the goals of your program, school, and campus (100 to 500 words)
• Anticipated products or outcomes (list; 10 to 50 words); plan for dissemination (e.g., publication; does not include the IU Indianapolis internal report)
• Describe sites to be visited, organizations you are working with, and other details (max 500 words). Indicate support (letters themselves should be aggregated into an Appendix document). If IRB/Animal Care approval is not yet obtained, describe current status
• Appendix: Include letters of support, forms of assistance you will receive, in pdf format

Submit your application

Due: Wednesday, December 2, 2026*
*Applications received after this date will not be considered unless the dean requests special consideration and documents extenuating circumstances. Be sure to check your own school's procedures and deadlines.

You should hear back from the Sabbatical Leaves Committee in early February on whether your application has been approved or denied.

Faculty and librarians are required to submit a sabbatical leave report.

Submit Online Form

Due: Within three months of returning from a sabbatical leave.

Reports on completion of the sabbatical leave are available to the Sabbatical Leaves Committee for use in evaluating subsequent applications for sabbatical leave. It is important to describe your activity while on sabbatical in some detail and to show clearly the professional benefits derived.

The report should include the following information and be submitted as a Word document (not in PDF format):

• Original objectives as approved by the Sabbatical Leaves Committee
• Nature of activity while on sabbatical leave (description of research, creative activity, postdoctoral study, or other report)
• Progress toward completion of the work for which the sabbatical leave was taken (present status of research, development of creative activity, etc.)
• Description of travel and residence away from home during the sabbatical leave
• Plans for publication or other action to make available to the public the product of your sabbatical leave activity

The report is to be reviewed and signed by the department chair and school dean before submitting to the Office of the Provost.

Submitted sabbatical applications are reviewed by the Sabbatical Leaves Review Committee and the chief academic officer. All applicants receive preliminary notification of the campus level decision in early spring. Final letters will be sent after approval of the Board of Trustees at their spring meeting.

Resources for sabbatical travel:

HR information for: medical coverage; group life insurance while overseas

Living arrangements: sabbaticalhomes.com may be of use. 

Financial arrangements for: full-year (half pay) sabbaticals 

Questions

All questions regarding campus sabbatical leave processes should be directed to [dot]eeL neraK Contact your chair for internal review procedures.

For school reviewers: sabbatical dashboard